THE PRINCESS POPPY. It was high time, indeed, that some decision should be made-either the Prince must choose one of the Princesses for his bride, or he must go back to his own country. He had now been staying at the palace for more than three months, ostensibly on a visit to the King, but in reality for the purpose of choosing a bride from among the King's four daughters. It was highly important that a marriage should take place between this particular Prince and one of these royal ladies, because the kingdoms of the two fathers joined; and it had been arranged that the succession to both crowns should be secured to the Prince, who was an only child, and to the Princess he should select for his consort. This was, of course, a very satisfactory arrangement for the Prince, and, perhaps, scarcely less so for the Princesses, who, being all equally attractive, had each one as good a chance as her sisters of pleasing his royal highness, and of reigning with him over her father's kingdom. THE PRINCESS POPPY. It was high time, indeed, that some decision should be made-either the Prince must choose one of the Princesses for his bride, or he must go back to his own country. He had now been staying at the palace for more than three months, ostensibly on a visit to the King, but in reality for the purpose of choosing a bride from among the King's four daughters. It was highly important that a marriage should take place between this particular Prince and one of these royal ladies, because the kingdoms of the two fathers joined; and it had been arranged that the succession to both crowns should be secured to the Prince, who was an only child, to the Princess he should select for his is was, of course, a very satisfactory arrangefor the Prince, and, perhaps, scarcely less so the Princesses, who, being all equally attractive, I each one good a chance as her sisters of casing his l highness, and of reigning with im over her er's kingdom. |