much so, that by the time he arrived at his eighteenth birthday
there was not a heart left for him to conquer in his father's
kingdom--they were all his own, and he was tired of everyone!
Things were in this state when he was invited to visit the court
of his father's cousin, King Bardondon.

Imagine his feelings when he arrived and was presented at once to
twelve of the loveliest creatures in the world, and his
embarrassment was heightened by the fact that they all liked him
as much as he liked each one of them, so that things came to such
a pass that he was never happy a single instant without them. For
could he not whisper soft speeches to Sweet, and laugh with Joy,
while he looked at Beauty? And in his more serious moments what
could be pleasanter than to talk to Grave upon some shady lawn,
while he held the hand of Loving in his own, and all the others
lingered near in sympathetic silence? For the first time in his
life he really loved, though the object of his devotion was not
one person, but twelve, to whom he was equally attached, and even
Surcantine was deceived into thinking that this was indeed the
height of inconstancy. But Paridamie said not a word.

In vain did Prince Mirliflor's father write commanding him to
return, and proposing for him one good match after another.
Nothing in the world could tear him from his twelve enchantresses.

One day the Queen gave a large garden-party, and just as the
guests were all assembled, and Prince Mirliflor was as usual
dividing his attentions between the twelve beauties, a humming of
bees was heard. The Rose-maidens, fearing their stings, uttered
little shrieks, and fled all together to a distance from the rest