placed her fate in her hands, and that she would obey her in all things. That she had not forgotten the prophecy of Percinet at the time she left the fairy palace, when he said to her that that very palace would be amongst the dead, and that she would never re-enter it till after she had been buried. That she had the greatest admiration for his wisdom, and no less for his worth, and that she accepted him for her husband. The prince in his turn knelt at her feet: and at the same instant the palace rang with shouts and music, and the marriage was celebrated with the greatest magnificence. All the fairies for a thousand leagues round appeared with sumptuous equipages; some came in cars drawn by swans, others by dragons, others on clouds, others in globes of fire. Amongst them appeared the fairy who had assisted Grognon to torment Gracieuse. When she recognised the princess, never was any one so surprised. She conjured her to forget the past, and promised she would take every means of atoning for the misery she had made her suffer. Actually, she would not stay for the banquet; but, re-ascending her car drawn by two terrible serpents, she flew to the king's palace, sought out Grognon, and wrung her neck before the guards or her women could interfere to prevent her.
Envy, thou mean but most malignant foe
Of all on earth, good, beautiful, and great;
'Twas thy foul hand that aim'd each cruel blow
At Gracieuse, and fann'd the fiendish hate
Of hideous Grognon. What had been thy fate,
Sweet princess, if thy fond and faithful guard,
Thy Percinet, had not been ever there!
O, well did he deserve the rich reward
Of constancy,—the crown the Gods prepare
For all-enduring, pure, unselfish Love to wear.
