she cried ; ' a story out of the Arabian Nights is not suited for a modern public , and fails to win aesthetic credence . ' These were her very words . '' `` Her majesty 's expressions are ever choice and appropriate , '' said the Ambassador . '' ` Sit down there , on the carpet , knave , ' she went on ; ` ourself and consort ' -- meaning me -- ` will take our places by thy side , and I shall wish us in Gluckstein , at thy master 's ! When the experiment has failed , thy head shall from thy shoulders be shorn ! ' So your man merely said , ` Very well , mum , -- your majesty , I mean , ' and sat down . The queen took her place at the edge of the carpet ; I sat between her and the butler , and she said , ' I wish we were in Gluckstein ! ' Then we rose , flew through the air at an astonishing pace , and here we are ! So I suppose the rest of the butler 's tale is true , which I regret ; but a king 's word is sacred , and he shall take the place of that sneak , Prigio . But as we left home before dinner , and as yours is over , may I request your lordship to believe that I should be delighted to take something cold ? '' The ambassador at once ordered a sumptuous collation , to which the king did full justice ; and his majesty was shown to the royal chamber , as he complained of fatigue . The queen accompanied him , remarking that she was sound asleep , but would waken presently . Neither of them said `` Good-night '' to the prince . Indeed , they did not see him again , for he was on the balcony with Lady Rosalind . They found a great deal to say to each other , and at last the prince asked her to be his wife ; and she said that if the king and her father gave their permission -- why , then she would ! After this she went to bed ; and the prince , who had not slept at all the night before , felt very sleepy also . But he knew that first he had something that must be done . So he went into the drawing-room , took his carpet , and wished to be -- now , where do you suppose ? Beside the dead body of the Firedrake ! There he was in a moment ; and dreadful the body looked , lying stark and cold in the white moonshine .
Then the prince cut off its four hoofs , put them in his wallet , and with these he flew back XXXXX a second , and met the ambassador just as he came from ushering the king to bed .
After Beside So at between in into of on through