As they were speaking of the various remarkable peculiarities that had been noticed in famous women.
"It is perfectly true," said he, "that Queen Crucha, whose name I bear, had the mark of a little monkey's head upon her body." During the evening Agaric had a decisive interview with three of the prince's oldest councillors.

It was decided to ask for funds from Crucho's father-in-law, as he was anxious to have a king for son-in-law, from several Jewish ladies, who were impatient to become ennobled, and, finally, from the Prince Regent of the Porpoises, who had promised his aid to the Draconides, thinking that by Crucho's restoration he would weaken the Penguins, the hereditary enemies of his people.

The three old councillors divided among themselves the three chief offices of the Court, those of Chamberlain, Seneschal, and High Steward, and authorised the monk to distribute the other places to the prince's best advantage.
"Devotion has to be rewarded," said the three old councillors.
"And treachery also," said Agaric.
"It is but too true," replied one of them, the Marquis of Sevenwounds, who had experience of revolutions.
There was dancing, and after the ball Princess Gudrune tore up her green robe to make cockades.

With her own hands she sewed a piece of it on the monk's breast, upon which he shed tears of sensibility and gratitude.
M.de Plume, the prince's equerry, set out the same evening to look for a green horse.
III.

THE CABAL After his return to the capital of Penguinia, the Reverend Father Agaric disclosed his projects to Prince Adelestan des Boscenos, of whose Draconian sentiments he was well aware.
The prince belonged to the highest nobility.