straightway to my kingdom; and if you are not satisfied then that
I am the king who conquers all kings you may give me back my ring
and return home free of me forever more.'

"It was a strange wooing and the friends of the princess begged
her to refuse. But her pride whispered that it would be such a
wonderful thing to be the queen of the king of the world; so she
consented; and her maidens dressed her, and put on the long lace
veil that had been so many years a-making. Then they were
married at once, but the bridegroom never lifted his visor and no
one saw his face. The proud princess held herself more proudly
than ever, but she was as white as her veil. And there was no
laughter or merry-making, such as should be at a wedding, and
every one looked at every one else with fear in his eyes.

"After the wedding the bridegroom lifted his bride before him on
his white horse, and her father and all the members of his court
mounted, too, and rode after them. On and on they rode, and the
skies grew darker and the wind blew and wailed, and the shades of
evening came down. And just in the twilight they rode into a
dark valley, filled with tombs and graves.

"'Why have you brought me here?' cried the proud princess
angrily.

"'This is my kingdom,' he answered. 'These are the tombs of the
kings I have conquered. Behold me, beautiful princess. I am
Death!'

"He lifted his visor. All saw his awful face. The proud