hypogriffins, newly arrived from the antipodes. She was accompanied by a great number of exceedingly handsome officers, richly attired. The royal Ram had sent for them from a great distance, to form the train of the Princess.
She arrived at her father's court at the moment the marriage was being celebrated. As soon as she appeared, she dazzled everybody by the blaze of her beauty and of the jewels which adorned her. She heard nothing around her but acclamations and praises. The King gazed on her with such eagerness and pleasure that she was afraid he would recognise her; but he was so convinced of her death that he had not the least idea she was his daughter.
The fear, notwithstanding, that she should be detained, prevented her staying to quite the end of the ceremony. She departed abruptly, leaving a little coral box, garnished with emeralds, and with these words on it, in diamond sparks: "Jewels for the Bride." They opened it immediately, and what did they not find in it! The King, who had hoped to see her again and was burning to know who she was, was in despair at her departure. He gave strict orders that if ever she returned, they should shut the gates upon her and detain her.
Brief as had been the absence of Merveilleuse, it had seemed an age to the Ram. He waited for her by the side of a fountain in the thickest part of the forest. He had immense treasures displayed there, with the intention of presenting them to her in gratitude for her return. As soon as he saw her, he ran towards her, bounding and frisking like a true sheep. He lay down at her feet, he kissed her hands, he told her all his anxiety and his impatience. His passion inspired him with an eloquence which quite charmed the Princess.
Some short time afterwards the King married his second daughter. Merveilleuse heard of it, and entreated the Ram to permit her to witness, as before, a fête in which she took so much interest.
At this request, he felt a pang which he could not suppress. A secret presentiment foretold to him some misfortune; but as we cannot always avoid evil, and his consideration for the Princess overruled every other feeling, he had not the heart to refuse her. "You desire to leave me, Madam," said he; "for this misfortune I must blame my sad destiny more than
