with your attendants. The dragon will not fail to go and drink at the pond, the wine he will like very much, and you will then see what will be the end of it all."
As soon as Comrade had arranged what was to be done, everybody set about what they had to do. The Chevalier went into a house which overlooked the pond. He had scarcely done so, when the frightful dragon came and drank a little, then he ate some of the breakfast they had prepared for him, and then he drank more and more, till he became quite intoxicated. He was unable to move, he laid upon his side, his head hanging down, and his eyes closed. When Fortuné saw him in this state, he felt he had not a moment to lose, he issued forth, sword in hand, and attacked him most courageously. The dragon, finding himself wounded on all sides, would have got up and fallen upon the Chevalier, but he had not the strength, he had lost so much blood. The Chevalier, overjoyed that he had reduced him to this extremity, called his attendants to bind the monster with cords and chains, that the King might have the pleasure and glory of ending his life; so that, having nothing more to fear from the beast, they dragged him into the city.
Fortuné marched at the head of his little troop. On approaching the palace, he sent Swift to the King with good news of his great success; but it seemed incredible, till they actually saw the monster fast bound upon a machine constructed for the purpose.
The King descended, and embraced Fortuné. "The gods have reserved this victory for you," said he, "and I feel much less joy at the sight of this horrible dragon reduced to this condition, than at your safe return, my dear Chevalier." "Sire," replied he, "may it please your Majesty to give the monster his death-blow; I brought him here to receive it at your hand." The King drew his sword, and terminated the existence of one of his most cruel enemies. Everybody uttered shouts of joy at such unhoped-for success.
Floride, who had been in continual anxiety, was not long before she heard of the return of her handsome Chevalier. She ran to tell the Queen of it, who was so astonished and confounded by her love and her hatred, that she could return no answer to what her confidant told her; and she reproached herself a hundred and a hundred times for the malicious
