lapis lazuli, of agate, of cornelian; and the Princess's own apartment was entirely of looking-glass, for it was impossible to multiply too much so charming an object.
Her throne was formed out of a single pearl, hollowed in the shape of a shell, and in which she could sit with perfect ease. It was hung round with lustres, ornamented with rubies and diamonds; but all this looked less than nothing beside the incomparable beauty of the Princess. Her infantile air combined all the simple grace of the child with the dignified manners of the educated woman. Nothing could equal the softness or the brilliancy of her eyes. It was impossible to find a fault in her. She smiled graciously on her maids of honour, who on that occasion had arrayed themselves as nymphs for her entertainment. As she missed Abricotine, she inquired where she was. The nymphs replied that they had sought in vain for her; she could not be found. Leander, dying to speak, assumed the tiny voice of a parrot (for there were several in the room), and said: "Charming Princess, Abricotine will soon return; she would have been carried off, but for a young prince she met with." The Princess was surprised at this speech of the parrot's, for the answer was so much to the purpose. "You are a very pretty little parrot," said she, "but you are evidently mistaken; and when Abricotine comes, she will whip you." "I shall not be whipped," replied Leander, still imitating the voice of the parrot. "She will tell you about the anxiety of the stranger to be permitted to enter this palace, and disabuse your mind of the false notions you entertain respecting his sex." "Really, parrot," exclaimed the Princess, "it is a pity you are not always so entertaining; I should love you dearly." "Ah! if to please you, it be only necessary for me to talk," replied Leander, "I will never cease speaking." "Why!" continued the Princess, "would one not swear this parrot was a sorcerer!" "He is more a lover than a sorcerer," answered Leander. At that moment Abricotine entered, and flung herself at the feet of her beautiful mistress. She related her adventure, and drew the Prince's portrait in very vivid and favourable colours.
"I should have hated all men," she added, "if I had not seen that one. Oh, Madam! he is so charming! His air, and all his manners, have in them something so noble, so
