His enemies at once went to the King and used the
remark to influence him against Charming.
"He thinks himself so handsome that the Princess could not have
resisted him, although she refused his King," they told his Majesty.
The boastful words so offended the King that he ordered Charming to be
shut up in the tower, where he had only straw to lie on and bread and
water to eat. In this miserable state he languished for some time, not
knowing why he had been imprisoned. One day the King happened to be
passing the tower and heard him exclaim:
"I am the King's most faithful subject; how have I incurred his
displeasure?" Then, in spite of the protests of Charming's enemies,
the King ordered the tower-door opened and Charming brought forth. His
old favorite sadly knelt and kissed his hand, saying:
"Sire, how have I offended?"
The King told him of the boast his enemies had repeated.
"True, Sire, I did say that had I been sent to plead your cause, it
would not have failed for lack of eloquence. Could the Princess see
you as my tongue would picture you, I would not return without her."
The King at once saw that he had been deceived, and restored Charming
to favor. While at supper that night, he confided to him that he was
as much in love with Goldilocks as ever, and could not be reconciled
to her answer.
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