2 34 
THE STRAND MAGAZINE. 
u ‘ DID YOU MEAN WHAT YOU SAID JUST NOW?’ THE PRINCESS WHISPERED. 5 ’ 
Under folk, and 1 am a mermaid, I can only 
say that I will never forget you, and that 1 
will never marry anyone else.” 
“ Is it only my face, then, that prevents 
your marrying me?” he asked, with abrupt 
eagerness, and she answered gently, “ Of 
course.” 
Then Ulfin, sprang to his feet. 
li Your Majesties/’ he cried, “ and Lord 
High Astrologer, has not the moment come 
when, since we are at a banquet with friends, 
we may unmask ? ” 
The Sovereigns and the Astrologer con- 
sented, and then with a rustling and a rattling 
helmets were unlaced and corselets unbuckled. 
The Underfolk seemed to the Mer-people as 
though thev- were taking off their very skins. 
But really what they took off was but their 
thick scaly armour, and under it they were 
as softly and richly clad and as personable 
people as the Mer-folk themselves. 
“ But,” said Maia, “ how splendid ! We 
thought you were always in armour — that 
— that it grew on you, you know.” 
The Underfolk laughed jollify. 
'* Of course it was always on us, since 
when you saw us we were always at war.” 
*' And you’re just like us,” said Freia to 
Ulfin. 
fl There is no one like you,” he whispered. 
Ulfin was now a handsome, dark-haired 
young man. 
“ Did you mean what you said just now ? ” 
the Princess whispered. And for answer 
Ulfin dared to touch her hand with soft, 
firm fingers. 
“ Papa.” said Freia, “ please may I marry 
Ulfin ? ” 
“ By all means,” said the King, and imme- 
diately announced the engagement, joining 
their hands and giving them his blessing. 
Then said the Queen of the Underfolk: — 
u Why should not these two reign over the 
Underfolk, and let us two be allowed to re- 
member the things we have forgotten, and 
go back to that other life w'hich 1 know we 
had somewhere — where we had a child ? ” 
u I have only one charm left, unfor- 
tunately,” said the King, “ but if your people 
will agree to your abdicating, I will divide 
it between you with pleasure, and 1 have 
reason to believe that the half which you 
will each have will be just enough to restore 
to you all the memories of your other life." 
The Astrologer-Royal, who had been whis- 
pering to Reuben, here interposed. 
“ It would be well, your Majesties,” he said, 
“ if a small allowance of the cup of oblivion 
were served out to these land-children, so that 
they may not remember their adventures here. 
