presence of all the sovereigns of Europe I ever found myself quite at home, and experienced from the whole court the most flattering esteem and admiration.  I remember, one particular day, the fate of the unfortunate Marquis de Bellecourt.  The Countess of Rassinda, who accompanied him, looked most divinely.  “Yes, I am confident,” said the Marquis de Bellecourt to me, “that I have acted according to the strictest sentiments of justice and of loyalty to my sovereign.  What stronger breast-plate than a heart untainted? and though I did not receive a word nor a look, yet I cannot think—­no, it were impossible to be misrepresented.  Conscious of my own integrity, I will try again—­I will go boldly up.”  The Marquis de Bellecourt saw the opportunity; he advanced three paces, put his hand upon his breast and bowed.  “Permit me,” said he, “with the most profound respect, to——.”  His tongue faltered—­he could scarcely believe his sight, for at that moment the whole company were moving out of the room.  He found himself almost alone, deserted by every one.  “What!” said he, “and did he turn upon his heel with the most marked contempt?  Would he not speak to me?  Would he not even hear me utter a word in my defence?” His heart died within him—­not even a look, a smile from any one.  “My friends!  Do they not know me?  Do they not see me?  Alas! they fear to catch the contagion of my——.  Then,” said he, “adieu!—­’tis more than I can bear.  I shall go to my country seat, and never, never will return.  Adieu, fond court, adieu!—­”

The venerable Marquis de Bellecourt stopped for a moment ere he entered his carriage.  Thrice he looked back, and thrice he wiped the starting tear from his eye.  “Yes,” said he, “for once, at least, truth shall be found—­in the bottom of a well!”

Peace to thy ghost, most noble marquis! a King of kings shall pity thee; and thousands who are yet unborn shall owe their happiness to thee, and have cause to bless the thousands, perhaps, that shall never even know thy name; but Munchausen’s self shall celebrate thy glory!

CHAPTER XXII

Preparations for the Baron’s expedition into Africa—­Description of his chariot; the beauties of its interior decorations; the animals that drew it, and the mechanism of the wheels.

Everything being concluded, and having received my instructions for the voyage, I was conducted by the illustrious Hilaro Frosticos, the Lady Fragrantia, and a prodigious crowd of nobility, and placed sitting upon the summit of the whale’s bones at the palace; and having remained in this situation for three days and three nights, as a trial ordeal, and a specimen of my perseverance and resolution, the third hour after midnight they seated me in the chariot of Queen Mab.  It was a prodigious dimension, large enough to contain more stowage than the tun of Heidelberg, and globular like a hazel-nut:  in fact, it seemed to be really a hazel-nut grown to