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So he went into the courtyard, and Prituitshkin brought him the horse saddled. Then Goria mounted the steed, and Prituitshkin another, and away they rode to Mistafor Skurlatovich; and when they entered the courtyard, Mistafor came out to meet his beloved son-in-law, the supposed Prince Dardavan.
Thereupon Prituitshkin ran as fast as he could and brought the hundred-pood bed, which he had stolen from Prince Dardavan. Then Goria the shoemaker undressed, and lay down upon the bed; and Dogada, on purpose to try him, ordered a number of tapers to be lighted and taken into his bedchamber.
Suddenly a stranger stood before him, and said: "Why are you in such a passion, my good lad?" "How can I help it?" replied Goria, the shoemaker; "my master is as cruel as a mad dog; you see how he has dressed me down, and ten weeks ago he beat me even still more than now." "Why does he beat you so?" said the stranger.
I had just married a few days before, a daughter of Zimmerman the celebrated professor of the piano at the Conservatory, and to whom is due the fine school from which have come Prudent, Marmontel, Goria, Lefébure-Wély, Ravina, Bizet, and many others.
And Goria replied: "I have learnt the art of shoemaking better than my teacher, and I make shoes for my master, but though I work for him all I can, do what I will, I never can please him; and instead of thanking me, he beats me as you see."
Goria was amazed at seeing himself attired in a costly dress, and said: "Without doubt you must be the devil in man's form!" "Certainly I am a devilkin; you called me, and on your summons I came. I will serve you, and marry you to Mistafor's daughter." "How is that possible?" said Goria: "I am known down yonder by every one the very dogs know me." But the stranger replied: "Nay, it is not so.
When Goria received these directions from his servant Prituitshkin, he went to Mistafor, who at once began to propose to him a riddle, but Goria answered; "I will give you a riddle." And he continued: "I went to walk in your green meadows and caught three goats, and stripped from each of them three skins." Mistafor doubted greatly and said: "It is impossible for a goat to have three skins."
Now mind one thing: when we sit down at table to eat, order white bread and brown bread to be brought to him: and if you observe that this guest cuts first a piece of the brown bread you will know that he is not Prince Dardavan but the shoemaker Goria, for Dardavan always eats first the white bread." "Good," said Mistafor, "I will observe."
Scarcely, however, had she entered the bedroom of the shoemaker Goria, and laid her hand upon the stone, than up jumped Prituitshkin, and, seizing her, exclaimed: "How! is it not a shame for your Grace to contrive such wickedness? It is not becoming the daughter of so renowned a father to be plotting such tricks; therefore, I must beg of you, fair lady, to leave me a pledge."
"Don't talk nonsense," said Mistafor; "I have seen Prince Dardavan face to face, and know him well; this is the Prince, and no shoemaker indeed." "Well and good," said Dogada; "I will go and welcome him; but only bear in mind what I say: it is not Prince Dardavan, but our shoemaker Goria, disguised like him.
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