The blood mounted angrily into the king's face.

'Tell me,' he cried, in a voice choked with passion, to his cupbearer, tell me how many goblets, more costly than this, and possessing the merit of being unbroken, do I possess?'

'Not less than a hundred, sire.'

'You hear,' said the king to Prince Hazor, 'not less than a hundred. And you have dared to bring a broken cup as your sole birthday gift to your sovereign; you, who by your near relationship to his person, should have striven to outrival all others in the magnificence of your gift. Your unpermitted absence, coupled with this, is an insult to our person, for which it is our will and pleasure you should endure six months' imprisonment, and you may thank our clemency that your punishment is not more severe.'

The angry king beckoned to the guards, who unwillingly obeyed his behest.

'My royal sovereign,' said Hazor, 'I submit to your good will and pleasure, as it is but fitting your subject should. I request but one small boon. ere I am led hence.'

'Hear him, sire,' pleaded the nobles.

The king looked round, and reading entreaty in the eager upturned faces, said,

'I will hear the prince. Not for his own sake, but for yours, my lords, who have so royally enriched me to-day. To evince the gratitude I feel towards you, I promise beforehand to grant the prince's request, provided it be in the bounds of moderation.'

A loud cheer, and cries of 'Long live the king,' rang through the hall. The sovereign, whose vanity was flattered by this demonstration, smiled affably.

'Speak,' he said, turning to the prince; 'you have my permission.'

'My lord and ruler,' said Hazor, 'you have indeed been true to your royal self to-day, and to the noble nature we all know you possess when unclouded by your dire propensity. Nay, frown not, sire, that I speak of it, for the boon I ask is connected therewith. Grant then the humble request of your cousin, and drink henceforth from the cup I have brought you. The goblet is formed of a stone till now unknown; it is called amethyst, and is held to preserve him who drinks thereout from the evil effects of intemperance. Oh, sire, hear my prayer, and test the virtue of this, alas! broken cup. Were it not irreplaceable I should not have brought an injured gift before you.'

Prince Hazor sank on his knees, and as he did so the whole assembly followed his example.

Jodo surveyed them, remained silent for a time. lost in thought, and then said in a loud firm voice,—

'Arise, my lords; a king's word is sacred. I said Prince Hazor's request should be granted. It shall be. But the matter thereof seems to me incredible, an idle fancy. His highness shall be kept in bonds for eight days, while we test this vaunted cup. An easy bondage, observe,' he said, turning to the keepers, 'imposed solely that the prince escape not till we have discovered the truth of his words. The court is ended,' commanded the king, and he turned to leave the room.

The knowledge of what had passed in the palace soon spread among the people, and great. was the anxiety felt for the result of the coming week. The king kept quietly in his apartments, but his cupbearer said he drank continually, determined to try to the full the power of the goblet. At the end of the time appointed he commanded a court to be held, and that Prince Hazor should be present.

When the nobles were all assembled, the king rose from his throne and addressed them.

'Your royal highness, my lords, and subjects; I stand before you to-day a condemned man, condemned by my own conscience. I have been a bad ruler these years past, I have given way to a fatal

passion, and have succumbed under its terrible seductions. Thanks to a magic gift, I am cured. During my late week of temperance I have had time for reflection, and my thoughts have been bitter as gall. I leave it to you whether I shall continue to rule, endeavouring to amend my faults, aided by new resolves and Prince Hazor's goblet, or whether I shall resign this throne to him, who will fill it more worthily than I have done. I await your reply.'

'Your majesty,' spoke the prince, 'as the nearest to your throne and person, I take upon myself the right to speak first in this matter. I feel convinced I utter only the wishes of these noblemen and your people, when I pray you to continue on the throne, trusting you may fill it honourably and worthily for many a long year to come, which, by aid of the goblet, and giving free scope to your true nature, you cannot fail to do. Is it not so, my lords?'

A loud cheer, and cries of 'Long live King Jodo,' rent the hall.

'Touching myself,' continued the prince, 'I conclude that your majesty, having discovered the hidden value of my seemingly mean gift, will once more restore me to liberty; and assuming that you have done so already, I herewith proclaim that I resign for ever all rights to the crown. My life is not

fitted for a court; I desire only to pass it in peace and study. It is my wish to return once more to the land whence I obtained that cup, which will I trust, prove a treasure to our gracious king, to his successor, and to generations yet unborn.'

So speaking the prince saluted the assembly, and before any one could reply or detain him, he passed out of the hall.

He was never seen again. King Jodo continued to reign over his people respected and beloved for many long years; and the fame of his cup spreading, amethysts were sought far and near, and whoever was afflicted with the demon of drink strove to possess one, however small.

As for the goblet, it can be seen to this day under a glass shade in the museum of that kingdom, but as I do not know exactly where it is situated I cannot direct you thither. Should you in any of your wanderings come across it, let me know; I shall be grateful for the information. If I find it,

I promise hereby to do the same.