day all alone in a wood, or on some downs, with no company but your simple sheep? Will the delicate bearing I remark in you accommodate itself to such solitude? Who knows, besides, if the fame of your charms, when it shall spread through the country, will not attract to you a thousand importunate lovers? I, myself, adorable shepherdess, will leave the court to follow you, and what I do, others will do also."
"Cease, my Lord," said she, "to flatter me by praises so far beyond my desert. I was born in a village; I have never known any other than a rustic life, and I hope you will allow me quietly to keep the Queen's sheep, if she will deign to confide them to my care. I would even beseech her to place me under some more experienced shepherdess, and then, as I should be always with her, it is quite certain I should never feel dull."
The Prince was prevented from replying; his attendants appeared on the brow of a little hill. "I leave you, charming creature," he cried, hurriedly; "I cannot allow so many to share the happiness I enjoy in beholding you. Go to the end of this meadow; you will find a house there, in which you may dwell in safety, if you say you come from me." Constancia, who would have been much troubled at finding herself in such a numerous company, hastened towards the spot to which Constancio (such was the Prince's name) had directed her.
He followed her with his eyes; he sighed tenderly, and, mounting his horse, placed himself at the head of his company, and discontinuing the chace, returned to the palace. He found the Queen exceedingly irritated against an old shepherdess, who had given her a very bad account of her lambs. After the Queen had well scolded her, she ordered her never to appear in her presence again.
This was a favourable opportunity for Constancio; he told his mother he had met a young girl who was very desirous of entering her service, that she looked like a careful person, and did not seem mercenary. The Queen was much pleased with her son's account of this shepherdess; she accepted her offer without seeing her, and desired the Prince to give orders for her to be sent, with the rest, to the pastures belonging to the crown. He was enchanted that the Queen dispensed with the appearance of the shepherdess at the palace. Certain busy and jealous feelings made him apprehensive of rivals, notwith-
