said directly to the Princess, "Has not your heart told you, charming Dove, that you are with a Pigeon who still burns with the flame you kindled?" "My heart sighed for such a happiness," replied she, "but dared not flatter itself with the hope of obtaining it. Alas! who could have imagined it! I was on the point of perishing under the blow of my strange destiny. You came to snatch me from the arms of death, or those of a monster which I still more dreaded."
The Prince, delighted to hear his dove talk, and to find her still as affectionate as he could desire, said to her everything the most tender and ardent passion could suggest. He related to her all that had happened since the sad moment when they parted, particularly his wonderful meeting with Love at the forest, and the Fairy in her palace. She was much delighted to hear that her best friend still took an interest in her. "Let us seek her, dear Prince," said she to Constancio, "and thank her for all the favour she has shown us. She will restore us to our proper forms, and we will return to your kingdom or to mine."
"If you love me as much as I love you," replied the Prince, "I will make a proposal to you in which love alone is concerned; but, charming Princess, you will say I am a madman." "Do not struggle to preserve your reputation for sense at the expense of your heart," replied she; "speak boldly, I shall listen to you with pleasure." "I am for retaining our present forms—you as a Dove, and I as a Pigeon, may still burn with the same flames as Constancia and Constancio. I am convinced that, free from the cares of an empire, having neither council to hold, nor war to wage, nor audience to give, exempted from acting everlastingly an important part on the great stage of the world, it will be delightful to live solely for each other in this charming retreat." "Ah!" exclaimed the Dove, "how much grandeur and tenderness is there in that idea! Young as I am, alas! I have seen much sorrow! Fortune, jealous of my innocent beauty, has so obstinately persecuted me, that I should be enchanted to renounce all the wealth she could give me for the happiness of living only for you. Yes, my dear Prince, I consent. Let us fix on some pleasant place, and pass our best days under this transformation. Let us lead an innocent life without ambition, without a wish, beyond that which virtuous love inspires."
