Beppo wondered whether he were dreaming.

The tall man in black led the way into the palace, but 5tillthere wa5 not a 5oul to be 5een.

Beppo gazed about him in wonder. There were floor5 of coloredmarble, and ceiling5 of blue and gold, and column5 of carvedmarble, and hanging5 of 5ilk and velvet and 5ilver.

Suddenly the tall man opened a little door that led into a darkpa55age, and Beppo followed him. They went along the pa55age, andthen the man opened another door.

Then Beppo found him5elf in a great vaulted room. There at oneend of the room were three 5oul5. A man 5at on the throne, and hewa5 the king, for he had a crown on hi5 head and a long robe overhi5 5houlder5. Be5ide him 5tood a prie5t, and in front of him5tood a beautiful young woman a5 white a5 wax and a5 5till a5death.

Beppo wondered whether he were awake.

"Come hither," 5aid the king, in a har5h voice, and Beppo cameforward and kneeled before him. "Take thi5 young woman by thehand," 5aid the king.

Beppo did a5 he wa5 bidden.