escaped in hundreds of little bubbles that took on all the hues of
the rainbow. These slowly ascended through the pale green water
until they reached the surface, where they probably floated off in
the air, until they burst, like fairy soap-bubbles.

All kinds of delicious fish, little pink and white crabs, goldfish,
luscious oysters, and, finally, coral-candy, made up the different
courses of the dinner. When it was over and the coffee was served
in a beautiful room adjoining, King Seaphus smoked a big cigar, which,
to Mary Louise's amazement, glowed and burned like any ordinary
Havana her father smoked at home.

After King Seaphus had smoked away in perfect silence for some time,
he turned to Mary Louise and asked:

"Where were you going, my dear, when you met my daughter?"

"Oh, nowhere in particular," replied little Mary Louise quickly. "You
see, I was playing on the beach when I saw the Princess,
and--and--and---"

"Then I combed her hair with my magic comb," said the Princess, coming
to the relief of little Mary Louise, who was very much embarrassed by
the question. You see, she was not at all accustomed to hold
conversation with royalty, and to be talking to a Merman King was,
perhaps, even more disconcerting.

"We took the subway," continued his daughter, "we caught the Iceberg
Express, and, well, here we are."