He had made for that occasion a tumbler's suit of green silk, with
trunks of cloth-of-gold--just such a suit as Gigi had worn when he was
one of the mountebank company. But the boy who pranced gaily about the
palace in this gorgeous attire was a very different fellow from the
sad-eyed little Gigi. John was tall and sturdy and full of life. His
eyes sparkled with fun and good humor, and looked at the world frankly
as if expecting kindness from every one. So much had five years of
love and humanity done for the little wanderer.

When John appeared in the courtyard ready for his performance, dressed
in the familiar colors of long ago, he could not help chuckling to
think how things had changed with him. Instead of Cecco and the Giant,
by his side waddled the great bear on his hind legs; while Brutus
walked sedately on his other side, and the gaunt wolf stalked behind.

The park was thronged with people, soldiers and citizens and peasants
from the country, jostling one another for a sight of John and his
pets,--and whispering among themselves with an excitement which John
could not understand. For after all he was going to give a simple
little show of tumbling such as they must have seen many times. "It is
the animals," he thought. "It must be the animals that they are so
eager to see."

John walked along, smiling into the faces which met his kindly, and the
brown spot on his eyelid gave him the mischievous look which always
made folk laugh. It was amid a ripple of good-natured laughter that he
and his pets made their way to the platform which had been erected in
front of the palace. Here on a high seat sat the King, and beside him
the Prince, with a flush of pleasure on his thin cheeks. Gaily dressed
lords and ladies stood about the throne. But somewhat apart and