“The Prince C——­ had arrived, with his mother and a German servant, at Livorno.  Like every other traveller who arrives at Livorno, he had sought immediately the most expeditious means of departure.  These, as we have said, present themselves in sufficient abundance; the only difficulty is, to know how to use them.

“The vetturini had learnt from the industrious porters that they had to deal with a prince.  Consequently they demanded twelve piastres instead of ten, and the prince, instead of offering five, conceded the twelve piastres, but stipulated that this should include every thing, especially the buona-mano, which the master should settle with the driver.  ‘Very good,’ said the vetturini; the prince paid his twelve piastres, and the carriage started off, with him and his baggage, at full gallop.  It was nine o’clock in the morning:  according to his calculation, the Prince would be at Florence about three or four in the afternoon.

“They had advanced about a quarter of a league when the horses relaxed their speed, and began to walk step by step.  As to the driver, he sang upon his seat, interrupting himself now and then to gossip with such acquaintances as he met upon the road; and as it is ill talking and progressing at the same time, he soon brought himself to a full stop when he had occasion for conference.

    “The prince endured this for some time; at length putting his
    head out of the window, he said, in the purest Tuscan,
    ‘Avanti! avanti! tirate via!’

    “‘How much do you give for buona-mano?’ answered the driver,
    turning round upon his box.

    “‘Why do you speak to me of your buona-mano?’ said the prince. 
    ’I have given your master twelve piastres, on condition that it
    should include every thing.’

    “‘The buona-mano does not concern the master,’ responded the
    driver; ‘how much do you give?’

    “‘Not a sou—­I have paid.’

    “‘Then, your excellence, we will continue our walk.’

    “‘Your master has engaged to take me to Florenco in six hours,’
    said the Prince.

    “’Where is the paper that says that—­the written paper, your
    excellence?’

    “’Paper! what need of a paper for so simple a matter?  I have no
    paper.’

    “‘Then, your excellence, we will continue our walk.’

    “‘Ah, we will see that!’ said the Prince.

    “‘Yes, we will see that!’ said the driver.

    “Hereupon the prince spoke to his German servant, Frantz, who
    was sitting beside the coachman, and bade him administer due
    correction to this refractory fellow.