me an understanding which will be my torment as long as I live; for what must I feel when I see myself in a looking glass, a little ugly black creature, with paws covered with hair, a tail, and teeth always ready to bite, and at the same time know that I am not without intelligence, that I possess some taste, refinement, and feeling." "Art thou susceptible of love?" asked the Queen. Babiole sighed without replying. "Oh!" continued the Queen. "I pray thee tell me if thou lovest a monkey, a rabbit, or a squirrel, for if thou art not positively engaged, I have a dwarf who would be the very husband for thee." Babiole at this proposition assumed an air of indignation, which made the Queen burst out laughing. "Don't be angry," said she; "and tell me by what chance it is that thou hast the power of speech?" "All that I know of my history," said Babiole, "is that the Queen your sister, had scarcely left you after the birth and death of the Princess your daughter, than she saw, on the sea-shore, one of your valets-de-chambre, who was about to drown me. I was snatched from his grasp by her orders, and by a miracle which astonished everybody I found myself possessed of the power of speech and reason. Masters were given to me to teach me several languages, and how to play on various instruments; at length, Madam, I became aware of my misfortune, and,—but what is the matter, Madam?" cried she, observing the Queen's face perfectly pallid, and covered with cold perspiration. "I perceive an extraordinary change in your countenance?" "I am dying," said the Queen, in a feeble voice, and scarcely able to articulate. "I am dying, my dear and too unhappy child! Ah! have I then found thee to-day?" As she uttered these words she fainted. Babiole, much alarmed, ran to call for help. The ladies in waiting on the Queen hastened to give her some water, to unlace her, and put her to bed. Babiole smuggled herself into bed with her. No one noticed it, she was so very little.
When the Queen recovered from the long swoon into which the Princess's account of herself had thrown her, she desired to be left alone with the ladies who knew the secret of the fatal birth of her daughter. She told them what had occurred; at which they were so amazed that they knew not what advice to give her.
She commanded them, however, to say what they thought
