Now, the King of the country where Florizel lived was a very go-ahead sort of man, and as soon as he heard that there were such things as lifts--which was not for a long time, because no one ever lets a King know anything if it can be helped--he ordered one of the very, very best for his palace. Next day a card was brought in by one of the palace footmen. It had on it: 'Mr. F. Bloomsbury, R. Bloomsbury and Co.'
'Good-morning, sire,' said Florizel, bowing with that perfect grace which is proper to Princes.
'Good-morning, young man,' said the King. 'About this lift, now.'
'Yes, sire. May I ask how much your Majesty is prepared to----'
'Oh, never mind price,' said the King; 'it all comes out of the taxes.'
'I should think, then, that Class A ... our special Argentinella design--white satin cushions, woodwork overlaid with ivory and inset with pearls, opals, and silver.'
'Not with pearls and ivory,' said Florizel firmly. He had excellent taste. 'The gold pattern--we call it the Anriradia--is inlaid with sapphires, emeralds, and black diamonds.'
'I'll have the gold pattern,' said the King; 'but you might run up a little special lift for the Princess's apartments. I dare say she'd like that Argentinella pattern--"Simple and girlish," I see it says in your circular.'
So Florizel booked the order, and the gold and sapphire and emerald lift was made and fixed, and all the Court was so delighted that it spent its whole time in going up and down in the lift, and there had to be new blue satin cushions within a week.
Then the Prince superintended the fixing of the Princess's lift--the Argentinella design--and the Princess Candida herself came to look on at the works; and she and Florizel met, and their eyes met, and their hands met, because his caught hers, and dragged her back just in time to save her from being crushed by a heavy steel bar that was being lowered into its place.
'Why, you've saved my life,' said the Princess.
But Florizel could say nothing. His heart was beating too fast, and it seemed to be beating in his throat, and not in its proper place behind his waistcoat.
'Oh dear!' said the Princess, 'I thought you were a Prince. I'm sure you look more like a Prince than any Prince _I've_ ever seen.'