The Little Lame Prince Rewritten for Young Readers by Margaret Waters   By: Margaret Waters

[Illustration: "I SWEAR TO PERFORM MY DUTIES AS REGENT, AND TO TAKE CARE OF HIS MAJESTY." [PAGE 11.]]

THE PLEASANT HOUR SERIES

THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE

By DINAH MARIA MULOCK

REWRITTEN FOR YOUNG READERS BY MARGARET WATERS

ILLUSTRATED BY HUGO VON HOFSTEN

NEW YORK BARSE & HOPKINS PUBLISHERS

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page I SWEAR TO PERFORM MY DUTIES AS REGENT, AND TO TAKE CARE OF HIS MAJESTY Frontispiece

"I MUST KISS HIM, I AM HIS GOD MOTHER" 8

AND TWISTING HIMSELF AROUND, WHAT DO YOU THINK HE SAW? 16

PRINCE DOLOR MADE A SNATCH AT THE TOPMOST TWIG OF THE TALLEST TREE 24

THE PRINCE GAZED EARNESTLY DOWN INTO THE LARGEST ROOM HE HAD EVER BEHELD 32

HE LIFTED UP HIS THIN, SLENDER HAND, AND THERE CAME A SILENCE OVER THE VAST CROWD IMMEDIATELY 40

THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE

CHAPTER I.

He was the most beautiful prince that ever was born.

Being a prince, people said this; and it was true. When he looked at the candle, his eyes had an earnest expression quite startling in a new born baby. His nose was aquiline; his complexion was healthy; he was round, fat, and straight limbed a splendid baby.

His father and mother, King and Queen of Nomansland, and their subjects were proud and happy, having waited ten years for an heir. The only person not quite happy was the king's brother, who would have been king had the baby not been born, but his Majesty was very kind to him, and gave him a Dukedom as large as a country.

The Prince's christening was to be a grand affair; there were chosen for him four and twenty godfathers and godmothers, who each had to give him a name, and promise to do their utmost for him. When he came of age, he himself had to choose the name and the godfather or godmother that he liked best.

All was rejoicing and the rich gave dinners and feasts for the poor.

The only quiet place in the Palace was the room, which though the prince was six weeks old, his mother, the Queen, had not quitted. Nobody thought she was ill as she said nothing about it herself, but lay pale and placid, giving no trouble to anybody.

Christening day came at last and it was as lovely as the Prince himself. All the people in the Palace were beautifully dressed in the clothes which the Queen had given them.

By six in the morning all the royal household had dressed itself in its very best; and then the little Prince was dressed in his magnificent christening robe; which he did not like at all, but kicked and screamed like any common baby. When he had calmed down, they carried him to the bed where the Queen lay.

She kissed and blessed him, and then she gave him up with a gentle smile, saying she "hoped he would be very good, that it would be a very nice christening, and all the guests would enjoy themselves," and turned peacefully over on her bed. She was a very uncomplaining person the Queen, and her name was Dolorez.

Everything went on as if she had been present. All, even the King himself, had grown used to her absence, for she was not strong, and for years had not joined in the gaieties. The noble company arrived from many countries; also the four and twenty godfathers and godmothers, who had been chosen with care, as the people who would be most useful to his Royal Highness should he ever want friends.