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nceforth there should be no such thing as the punishment of death in Nomansland。 All capital criminals were to be
sent to perpetual imprisonment in Hopeless Tower and the plain round about it； where they could do no harm to anybody； and might in time do a little good； as the woman had done。
Another surprise he shortly afterward gave the nation。 He recalled his uncle's family； who had fled away in terror to another country； and restored them to all their honors in their own。 By and by he chose the eldest son of his eldest cousin （who had been dead a year）； and had him educated in the royal palace； as the heir to the throne。 This little prince was a quiet； unobtrusive boy； so that everybody wondered at the King's choosing him when there were so many more； but as he grew into a fine young fellow； good and brave； they agreed that the King judged more wisely than they。
〃Not a lame prince； either；〃 his Majesty observed one day； watching him affectionately； for he was the best runner； the highest leaper； the keenest and most active sportsman in the country。 〃One cannot make one's self； but one can sometimes help a little in the making of somebody else。 It is well。〃
This was said； not to any of his great lords and ladies； but to a good old womanhis first homely nurse whom he had sought for far and wide； and at last found in her cottage among the Beautiful Mountains。 He sent for her to visit him once a year； and treated her with great honor until she died。 He was equally kind； though somewhat less tender； to his other nurse； who； after receiving her pardon； returned to her native town and grew into a great lady； and I hope a good one。 But as she was so grand a personage now； any little faults she had did not show。
Thus King Dolor's reign passed year after year； long and prosperous。 Whether he were happy〃as happy as a king〃is a question no human being can decide。 But I think he was； because he had the power of making everybody about him happy； and did it too； also because he was his godmother's godson； and could shut himself up with her whenever he liked； in that quiet little room in view of the Beautiful Mountains； which nobody else ever saw or cared to see。 They were too far off； and the city lay so low。 But there they were； all the time。 No change ever came to them； and I think； at any day throughout his long reign； the King would sooner have lost his crown than have lost sight of the Beautiful Mountains。
In course of time； when the little Prince； his cousin； was grown into a tall young man； capable of all the duties of a man； his Majesty did one of the most extraordinary acts ever known in a sovereign beloved by his people and prosperous in his reign。 He announced that he wished to invest his heir with the royal purpleat any rate； for a timewhile he himself went away on a distant journey； whither he had long desired to go。
Everybody marveled； but nobody opposed him。 Who could oppose the good King； who was not a young king now？ And besides； the nation had a great admiration for the young regentand possibly a lurking pleasure in change。
So there was a fixed day when all the people whom it would hold assembled in the great square of the capital； to see the young prince installed solemnly in his new duties； and undertaking his new vows。 He was a very fine young fellow； tall and straight as a poplar tree； with a frank； handsome facea great deal handsomer than the king； some people said； but others thought differently。 However； as his Majesty sat on his throne； with his gray hair falling from underneath his crown； and a few wrinkles showing in spite of his smile； there was something about his countenance which made his people； even while they shouted； regard him with a tenderness mixed with awe。
He lifted up his thin； slender hand； and there came a silence over the vast crowd immediately。 Then he spoke； in his own accustomed way； using no grand words； but saying what he had to say in the simplest fashion； though with a clearness that struck their ears like the first song of a bird in the dusk of the morning。
〃My people； I am tired： I want to rest。 I have had a long reign； and done much workat least； as much as I was able to do。 Many might have done it better than Ibut none with a better will。 Now I leave it to others； I am tired； very tired。 Let me go home。〃
There arose a murmurof content or discontent none could well tell； then it died down again； and the assembly listened silently once more。
〃I am not anxious about you； my peoplemy children；〃 continued the King。 〃You are prosperous and at peace。 I leave you in good hands。 The Prince Regent will be a fitter king for you than I。〃
〃No； no； no！〃 rose the universal shoutand those who had sometimes found fault with him shouted louder than anybody。 But he seemed as if he heard them not。
〃Yes； yes；〃 said he； as soon as the tumult had a little subsided： and his voice sounded firm and clear； and some very old people； who boasted of having seen him as a child； declared that his face took a sudden change； and grew as young and sweet as that of the little Prince Dolor。 〃Yes； I must go。 It is time for me to go。 Remember me sometimes； my people； for I have loved you well。 And I am going a long way； and I do not think I shall come back any more。〃
He drew a little bundle out of his breast pocketa bundle that nobody had ever seen before。 It was small and shabby…looking； and tied up with many knots； which untied themselves in an instant。 With a joyful countenance； he muttered over it a few half…intelligible words。 Then； so suddenly that even those nearest to his Majesty could not tell how it came about； the King was awayawayfloating right up in the airupon something； they knew not what； except that it appeared to be as safe and pleasant as the wings of a bird。
And after him sprang a birda dear little lark； rising from whence no one could say； since larks do not usually build their nests in the pavement of city squares。 But there it was； a real lark； singing far over their heads； louder and clearer and more joyful as it vanished further into the blue sky。
Shading their eyes； and straining their ears； the astonished people stood until the whole vision disappeared like a speck in the clouds the rosy clouds that overhung the Beautiful Mountains。
King Dolor was never again beheld or heard of in his own country。 But the good he had done there lasted for years and years； he was long missed and deeply mournedat least； so far as anybody could mourn one who was gone on such a happy journey。
Whither he went； or who went with him； it is impossible to say。 But I myself believe that his godmother took him on his traveling…cloak to the Beautiful Mountains。 What he did there； or where he is now； who can tell？ I cannot。 But one thing I am quite sure of； that； wherever he is； he is perfectly happy。
And so； when I think of him； am I。
THE INVISIBLE PRINCE
THERE were a king and queen who were dotingly fond of their only son； notwithstanding that he was equally deformed in mind and person。 The king was quite sensible of the evil disposition of his son； but the queen in her excessive fondness saw no fault whatever in her dear Furibon； as he was named。 The surest