a month ago tidings were brought me that a dragon of prodigious size was ravaging the country. I thought they could kill him, and issued for that purpose the necessary orders; but they have tried every means in vain. He devours my subjects, their flocks, and all that he meets with; he poisons all the rivers and springs wherever he quenches his thirst, and withers the grass and the herbs that he lies down upon." While the King was talking to her, it entered the mind of the irritated Queen, that there was an opportunity afforded to her of sacrificing the Chevalier to her resentment. "I am not ignorant," said she, "of the bad news you have received. Fortuné, whom you saw with me, has just given me an account of it; but, brother, you will be surprised at what I have to tell you,—he has entreated me, with the greatest importunity, to ask you to permit him to go and fight this terrible dragon; he is indeed so skilled in the use of arms, that I am not surprised he presumes so much; besides, he has told me he has a secret, by which he can put the most wakeful dragon to sleep, but that must not be mentioned, because it does not show much courage in the action." "In whatever manner he may do it," replied the King, "it will be very glorious for him, and of great service to us, if he could succeed; but I fear this proceeds from an indiscreet zeal, and that it will cost him his life." "No, brother," added the Queen, "fear not; he has related very surprising things on this subject. You know that he is naturally very sincere, and then what honour can he hope for, in dying so rashly. In short," said she, "I have promised to obtain for him what he so much desires, that if you refuse him, it will kill him."
"I consent to what you wish," said the King, "but I own to you, not without much repugnance: but let us call him." He then made a sign for Fortuné to approach, and said kindly to him, "I have just learnt from the Queen the desire you have to fight the dragon that is devastating our country. It is so bold a resolution, that I can scarcely believe you have considered all the danger." "I have represented this to him," said the Queen; "but he is so zealous in your service, and so desirous to signalize himself, that nothing can dissuade him from it; and I foresee that he will be successful." Fortuné was much surprised at what the King and Queen said to him. He had sense enough to penetrate the wicked
