Prince Vivien and the Princess Placida

PRINCE VIVIEN AND THE PRINCESS PLACIDA

Once upon a time there lived a King and Queen who loved one another

dearly. Indeed the Queen, whose name was Santorina, was so pretty and so

kind-hearted that it would have been a wonder if her husband had not

been fond of her, while King Gridelin himself was a perfect bundle of

good qualities, for the Fairy who presided at his christening had

summoned the shades of all his ancestors, and taken something good from

each of them to form his character. Unfortunately, though, she had given

him rather too much kindness of heart, which is a thing that generally

gets its possessor into trouble, but so far all things had prospered

with King Gridelin. However, it was not to be expected such good fortune

could last, and before very long the Queen had a lovely little daughter

who was named Placida. Now the King, who thought that if she resembled

her mother in face and mind she would need no other gift, never troubled

to ask any of the Fairies to her christening, and this offended them

mortally, so that they resolved to punish him severely for thus

depriving them of their rights. So, to the despair of King Gridelin, the

Queen first of all became very ill, and then disappeared altogether. If

it had not been for the little Princess there is no saying what would

have become of him, he was so miserable, but there she was to be brought

up, and luckily the good Fairy Lolotte, in spite of all that had passed,

was willing to come and take charge of her, and of her little cousin

Prince Vivien, who was an orphan and had been placed under the care of

his uncle, King Gridelin, when he was quite a baby. Although she

neglected nothing that could possibly have been done for them, their

characters, as they grew up, plainly proved that education only softens

down natural defects, but cannot entirely do away with them; for

Placida, who was perfectly lovely, and with a capacity and intelligence

which enabled her to learn and understand anything that presented

itself, was at the same time as lazy and indifferent as it is possible

for anyone to be, while Vivien on the contrary was only too lively, and

was for ever taking up some new thing and as promptly tiring of it, and

flying off to something else which held his fickle fancy an equally

short time. As these two children would possibly inherit the kingdom, it

was natural that their people should take a great interest in them, and

it fell out that all the tranquil and peace-loving citizens desired that

Placida should one day be their Queen, while the rash and quarrelsome

hoped great things for Vivien. Such a division of ideas seemed to

promise civil wars and all kinds of troubles to the State, and even in

the Palace the two parties frequently came into collision. As for the

children themselves, though they were too well brought up to quarrel,

still the difference in all their tastes and feelings made it impossible

for them to like one another, so there seemed no chance of their ever

consenting to be married, which was a pity, since that was the only

thing that would have satisfied both parties. Prince Vivien was fully

aware of the feeling in his favour, but being too honourable to wish to

injure his pretty cousin, and perhaps too impatient and volatile to care

to think seriously about anything, he suddenly took it into his head

that he would go off by himself in search of adventure. Luckily this

idea occurred to him when he was on horseback, for he would certainly

have set out on foot rather than lose an instant. As it was, he simply

turned his horse's head, without another thought than that of getting

out of the kingdom as soon as possible. This abrupt departure was a

great blow to the State, especially as no one had any idea what had

become of the Prince. Even King Gridelin, who had never cared for

anything since the disappearance of Queen Santorina, was roused by this

new loss, and though he could not so much as look at the Princess

Placida without shedding floods of tears, he resolved to see for himself

what talents and capabilities she showed. He very soon found out that in

addition to her natural indolence, she was being as much indulged and

spoilt day by day as if the Fairy had been her grandmother, and was

obliged to remonstrate very seriously upon the subject. Lolotte took his

reproaches meekly, and promised faithfully that she would not encourage

the Princess in her idleness and indifference any more. From this moment

poor Placida's troubles began! She was actually expected to choose her

own dresses, to take care of her jewels, and to find her own amusements;

but rather than take so much trouble she wore the same old frock from

morning till night, and never appeared in public if she could possibly

avoid it. However, this was not all, King Gridelin insisted that the

affairs of the kingdom should be explained to her, and that she should

attend all the councils and give her opinion upon the matter in hand

whenever it was asked of her, and this made her life such a burden to

her that she implored Lolotte to take her away from a country where too

much was required of an unhappy Princess.

The Fairy refused at first with a great show of firmness, but who could

resist the tears and entreaties of anyone so pretty as Placida? It came

to this in the end, that she transported the Princess just as she was,

cosily tucked up upon her favourite couch, to her own Grotto, and this

new disappearance left all the people in despair, and Gridelin went

about looking more distracted than ever. But now let us return to Prince

Vivien, and see what his restless spirit has brought him to. Though

Placida's kingdom was a large one, his horse had carried him gallantly

to the limit of it, but it could go no further, and the Prince was

obliged to dismount and continue his journey on foot, though this slow

mode of progress tired his patience severely.

[Illustration]

After what seemed to him a very long time, he found himself all alone in

a vast forest, so dark and gloomy that he secretly shuddered; however,

he chose the most promising looking path he could find, and marched

along it courageously at his best speed, but in spite of all his

efforts, night fell before he reached the edge of the wood.

For some time he stumbled along, keeping to the path as well as he could

in the darkness, and just as he was almost wearied out he saw before

him a gleam of light.

This sight revived his drooping spirits, and he made sure that he was

now close to the shelter and supper he needed so much, but the more he

walked towards the light the further away it seemed; sometimes he even

lost sight of it altogether, and you may imagine how provoked and

impatient he was by the time he finally arrived at the miserable cottage

from which the light proceeded. He gave a loud knock at the door, and an

old woman's voice answered from within, but as she did not seem to be

hurrying herself to open it he redoubled his blows, and demanded to be

let in imperiously, quite forgetting that he was no longer in his own

kingdom. But all this had no effect upon the old woman, who only noticed

all the uproar he was making by saying gently:

'You must have patience.'

He could hear that she really was coming to open the door to him, only

she was so very long about it. First she chased away her cat, lest it

should run away when the door was opened, then he heard her talking to

herself and made out that her lamp wanted trimming, that she might see

better who it was that knocked, and then that it lacked fresh oil, and

she must refill it. So what with one thing and another she was an

immense time trotting to and fro, and all the while she now and again

bade the Prince have patience. When at last he stood within the little

hut he saw with despair that it was a picture of poverty, and that not a

crumb of anything eatable was to be seen, and when he explained to the

old woman that he was dying of hunger and fatigue she only answered

tranquilly that he must have patience. However, she presently showed him

a bundle of straw on which he could sleep.

'But what can I have to eat?' cried Prince Vivien sharply.

'Wait a little, wait a little,' she replied. 'If you will only have

patience I am just going out into the garden to gather some peas: we

will shell them at our leisure, then I will light a fire and cook them,

and when they are thoroughly done, we can enjoy them peaceably; there is

no hurry.'

'I shall have died of starvation by the time all that is done,' said the

Prince ruefully.

'Patience, patience,' said the old woman looking at him with her slow

gentle smile, 'I can't be hurried. "All things come at last to him who

waits;" you must have heard that often.'

Prince Vivien was wild with aggravation, but there was nothing to be

done.

'Come then,' said the old woman, 'you shall hold the lamp to light me

while I pick the peas.'

The Prince in his haste snatched it up so quickly that it went out, and

it took him a long time to light it again with two little bits of

glowing charcoal which he had to dig out from the pile of ashes upon the

hearth. However, at last the peas were gathered and shelled, and the

fire lighted, but then they had to be carefully counted, since the old

woman declared that she would cook fifty-four, and no more. In vain did

the Prince represent to her that he was famished--that fifty-four peas

would go no way towards satisfying his hunger--that a few peas, more or

less, surely could not matter. It was quite useless, in the end he had

to count out the fifty-four, and worse than that, because he dropped one

or two in his hurry, he had to begin again from the very first, to be

sure the number was complete. As soon as they were cooked the old dame

took a pair of scales and a morsel of bread from the cupboard, and was

just about to divide it when Prince Vivien, who really could wait no

longer, seized the whole piece and ate it up, saying in his turn,

'Patience.'

'You mean that for a joke,' said the old woman, as gently as ever, 'but

that is really my name, and some day you will know more about me.'

Then they each ate their twenty-seven peas, and the Prince was surprised

to find that he wanted nothing more, and he slept as sweetly upon his

bed of straw as he had ever done in his palace.

In the morning the old woman gave him milk and bread for his breakfast,

which he ate contentedly, rejoicing that there was nothing to be

gathered, or counted, or cooked, and when he had finished he begged her

to tell him who she was.

'That I will, with pleasure,' she replied. 'But it will be a long

story.'

'Oh! if it's long, I can't listen,' cried the Prince.

'But,' said she, 'at your age, you should attend to what old people say,

and learn to have patience.'

'But, but,' said the Prince, in his most impatient tone, 'old people

should not be so long-winded! Tell me what country I have got into, and

nothing else.'

'With all my heart,' said she. 'You are in the Forest of the Black Bird;

it is here that he utters his oracles.'

'An Oracle,' cried the Prince. 'Oh! I must go and consult him.'

Thereupon he drew a handful of gold from his pocket, and offered it to

the old woman, and when she would not take it, he threw it down upon the

table and was off like a flash of lightning, without even staying to ask

the way. He took the first path that presented itself and followed it at

the top of his speed, often losing his way, or stumbling over some

stone, or running up against a tree, and leaving behind him without

regret the cottage which had been as little to his taste as the

character of its possessor. After some time he saw in the distance a

huge black castle which commanded a view of the whole forest. The Prince

felt certain that this must be the abode of the Oracle, and just as the

sun was setting he reached its outermost gates. The whole castle was

surrounded by a deep moat, and the drawbridge and the gates, and even

the water in the moat, were all of the same sombre hue as the walls and

towers. Upon the gate hung a huge bell, upon which was written in red

letters:

'Mortal, if thou art curious to know thy fate, strike this bell, and

submit to what shall befall thee.'

The Prince, without the smallest hesitation, snatched up a great stone,

and hammered vigorously upon the bell, which gave forth a deep and

terrible sound, the gate flew open, and closed again with a thundering

clang the moment the Prince had passed through it, while from every

tower and battlement rose a wheeling, screaming crowd of bats which

darkened the whole sky with their multitudes. Anyone but Prince Vivien

would have been terrified by such an uncanny sight, but he strode

stoutly forward till he reached the second gate, which was opened to him

by sixty black slaves covered from head to foot in long mantles.

[Illustration]

He wished to speak to them, but soon discovered that they spoke an

utterly unknown language, and did not seem to understand a word he said.

This was a great aggravation to the Prince, who was not accustomed to

keep his ideas to himself, and he positively found himself wishing for

his old friend Patience. However, he had to follow his guides in

silence, and they led him into a magnificent hall; the floor was of

ebony, the walls of jet, and all the hangings were of black velvet, but

the Prince looked round it in vain for something to eat, and then made

signs that he was hungry. In the same manner he was respectfully given

to understand that he must wait, and after several hours the sixty

hooded and shrouded figures re-appeared, and conducted him with great

ceremony, and also very very slowly, to a banqueting hall, where they

all placed themselves at a long table. The dishes were arranged down the

centre of it, and with his usual impetuosity the Prince seized the one

that stood in front of him to draw it nearer, but soon found that it was

firmly fixed in its place. Then he looked at his solemn and lugubrious

neighbours, and saw that each one was supplied with a long hollow reed

through which he slowly sucked up his portion, and the Prince was

obliged to do the same, though he found it a frightfully tedious

process. After supper, they returned as they had come to the ebony room,

where he was compelled to look on while his companions played

interminable games of chess, and not until he was nearly dying of

weariness did they, slowly and ceremoniously as before, conduct him to

his sleeping apartment. The hope of consulting the Oracle woke him very

early the next morning, and his first demand was to be allowed to

present himself before it, but, without replying, his attendants

conducted him to a huge marble bath, very shallow at one end, and quite

deep at the other, and gave him to understand that he was to go into it.

The Prince, nothing loth, was for springing at once into deep water, but

he was gently but forcibly held back and only allowed to stand where it

was about an inch deep, and he was nearly wild with impatience when he

found that this process was to be repeated every day in spite of all he

could say or do, the water rising higher and higher by inches, so that

for sixty days he had to live in perpetual silence, ceremoniously

conducted to and fro, supping all his meals through the long reed, and

looking on at innumerable games of chess, the game of all others which

he detested most. But at last the water rose as high as his chin, and

his bath was complete. And that day the slaves in their black robes, and

each having a large bat perched upon his head, marched in slow

procession with the Prince in their midst, chanting a melancholy song,

to the iron gate that led into a kind of Temple. At the sound of their

chanting, another band of slaves appeared, and took possession of the

unhappy Vivien.

They looked to him exactly like the ones he had left, except that they

moved more slowly still, and each one held a raven upon his wrist, and

their harsh croakings re-echoed through the dismal place. Holding the

Prince by the arms, not so much to do him honour as to restrain his

impatience, they proceeded by slow degrees up the steps of the Temple,

and when they at last reached the top he thought his long waiting must

be at an end. But on the contrary, after slowly enshrouding him in a

long black robe like their own, they led him into the Temple itself,

where he was forced to witness numbers of lengthy rites and ceremonies.

By this time Vivien's active impatience had subsided into passive

weariness, his yawns were continual and scandalous, but nobody heeded

him, he stared hopelessly at the thick black curtain which hung down

straight in front of him, and could hardly believe his eyes when it

presently began to slide back, and he saw before him the Black Bird. It

was of enormous size, and was perched upon a thick bar of iron which ran

across from one side of the Temple to the other. At the sight of it all

the slaves fell upon their knees and hid their faces, and when it had

three times flapped its mighty wings it uttered distinctly in Prince

Vivien's own language the words:

'Prince, your only chance of happiness depends upon that which is most

opposed to your own nature.'

Then the curtain fell before it once more, and the Prince, after many

ceremonies, was presented with a raven which perched upon his wrist, and

was conducted slowly back to the iron gate. Here the raven left him and

he was handed over once more to the care of the first band of slaves,

while a large bat flickered down and settled upon his head of its own

accord, and so he was taken back to the marble bath, and had to go

through the whole process again, only this time he began in deep water

which receded daily inch by inch. When this was over the slaves escorted

him to the outer gate, and took leave of him with every mark of esteem

and politeness, to which it is to be feared he responded but

indifferently, since the gate was no sooner opened than he took to his

heels, and fled away with all his might, his one idea being to put as

much space as possible between himself and the dreary place into which

he had ventured so rashly, just to consult a tedious Oracle who after

all had told him nothing. He actually reflected for about five seconds

on his folly, and came to the conclusion that it might sometimes be

advisable to think before one acted.

After wandering about for several days until he was weary and hungry, he

at last succeeded in finding a way out of the forest, and soon came to a

wide and rapid river, which he followed, hoping to find some means of

crossing it, and it happened that as the sun rose the next morning he

saw something of a dazzling whiteness moored out in the middle of the

stream. Upon looking more attentively at it he found that it was one of

the prettiest little ships he had ever seen, and the boat that belonged

to it was made fast to the bank quite close to him. The Prince was

immediately seized with the most ardent desire to go on board the ship,

and shouted loudly to attract the notice of her crew, but no one

answered. So he sprang into the little boat and rowed away without

finding it at all hard work, for the boat was made all of white paper

and was as light as a rose leaf. The ship was made of white paper too,

as the Prince presently discovered when he reached it. He found not a

soul on board, but there was a very cosy little bed in the cabin, and an

ample supply of all sorts of good things to eat and drink, which he made

up his mind to enjoy until something new happened. Having been

thoroughly well brought up at the court of King Gridelin, of course he

understood the art of navigation, but when once he had started, the

current carried the vessel down at such a pace that before he knew where

he was the Prince found himself out at sea, and a wind springing up

behind him just at this moment soon drove him out of sight of land. By

this time he was somewhat alarmed, and did his best to put the ship

about and get back to the river, but wind and tide were too strong for

him, and he began to think of the number of times, from his childhood

up, that he had been warned not to meddle with water. But it was too

late now to do anything but wish vainly that he had stayed on shore, and

to grow heartily weary of the boat and the sea and everything connected

with it. These two things, however, he did most thoroughly. To put the

finishing touch to his misfortunes he presently found himself becalmed

in mid-ocean, a state of affairs which would be considered trying by the

most patient of men, so you may imagine how it affected Prince Vivien!

He even came to wishing himself back at the Castle of the Black Bird,

for there at least he saw some living beings, whereas on board the

white-paper ship he was absolutely alone, and could not imagine how he

was ever to get away from his wearisome prison. However, after a very

long time, he did see land, and his impatience to be on shore was so

great that he at once flung himself over the ship's side that he might

reach it sooner by swimming. But this was quite useless, for spring as

far as he might from the vessel, it was always under his feet again

before he reached the water, and he had to resign himself to his fate,

and wait with what patience he could muster until the winds and waves

carried the ship into a kind of natural harbour which ran far into the

land. After his long imprisonment at sea the Prince was delighted with

the sight of the great trees which grew down to the very edge of the

water, and leaping lightly on shore he speedily lost himself in the

thick forest. When he had wandered a long way he stopped to rest beside

a clear spring of water, but scarcely had he thrown himself down upon

the mossy bank when there was a great rustling in the bushes close by,

and out sprang a pretty little gazelle panting and exhausted, which fell

at his feet gasping out--

'Oh! Vivien, save me!'

The Prince in great astonishment leapt to his feet, and had just time to

draw his sword before he found himself face to face with a large green

lion which had been hotly pursuing the poor little gazelle. Prince

Vivien attacked it gallantly and a fierce combat ensued, which, however,

ended before long in the Prince's dealing his adversary a terrific blow

which felled him to the earth. As he fell the lion whistled loudly

three times with such force that the forest rang again, and the sound

must have been heard for more than two leagues round, after which having

apparently nothing more to do in the world he rolled over on his side

and died. The Prince without paying any further heed to him or to his

whistling returned to the pretty gazelle, saying:

'Well! are you satisfied now? Since you can talk, pray tell me instantly

what all this is about, and how you happen to know my name.'

'Oh, I must rest for a long time before I can talk,' she replied, 'and

beside, I very much doubt if you will have leisure to listen, for the

affair is by no means finished. In fact,' she continued in the same

languid tone, 'you had better look behind you now.'

The Prince turned sharply round and to his horror saw a huge Giant

approaching with mighty strides, crying fiercely--

'Who has made my lion whistle I should like to know?'

'I have,' replied Prince Vivien boldly, 'but I can answer for it that he

will not do it again!'

At these words the Giant began to howl and lament.

'Alas, my poor Tiny, my sweet little pet,' he cried, 'but at least I can

avenge thy death.'

Thereupon he rushed at the Prince, brandishing an immense serpent which

was coiled about his wrist. Vivien, without losing his coolness, aimed a

terrific blow at it with his sword, but no sooner did he touch the snake

than it changed into a Giant and the Giant into a snake, with such

rapidity that the Prince felt perfectly giddy, and this happened at

least half-a-dozen times, until at last with a fortunate stroke he cut

the serpent in halves, and picking up one morsel flung it with all his

force at the nose of the Giant, who fell insensible on top of the lion,

and in an instant a thick black cloud rolled up which hid them from

view, and when it cleared away they had all disappeared.

Then the Prince, without even waiting to sheathe his sword, rushed back

to the gazelle, crying:

'Now you have had plenty of time to recover your wits, and you have

nothing more to fear, so tell me who you are, and what this horrible

Giant, with his lion and his serpent, have to do with you, and for

pity's sake be quick about it.'

[Illustration]

'I will tell you with pleasure,' she answered, 'but where is the hurry?

I want you to come back with me to the Green Castle, but I don't want to

walk there, it is so far, and walking is so fatiguing.'

'Let us set out at once then,' replied the Prince severely, 'or else

really I shall have to leave you where you are. Surely a young and

active gazelle like you ought to be ashamed of not being able to walk a

few steps. The further off this castle is the faster we ought to walk,

but as you don't appear to enjoy that, I will promise that we will go

gently, and we can talk by the way.'

[Illustration]

'It would be better still if you would carry me,' said she sweetly, 'but

as I don't like to see people giving themselves trouble, you may carry

me, and make that snail carry you.' So saying, she pointed languidly

with one tiny foot at what the Prince had taken for a block of stone,

but now he saw that it was a huge snail.

'What! I ride a snail!' cried the Prince; 'you are laughing at me, and

beside we should not get there for a year.'

'Oh! well then don't do it,' replied the gazelle, 'I am quite willing to

stay here. The grass is green, and the water clear. But if I were you I

should take the advice that was given me and ride the snail.'

So, though it did not please him at all, the Prince took the gazelle in

his arms, and mounted upon the back of the snail, which glided along

very peaceably, entirely declining to be hurried by frequent blows from

the Prince's heels. In vain did the gazelle represent to him that she

was enjoying herself very much, and that this was the easiest mode of

conveyance she had ever discovered. Prince Vivien was wild with

impatience, and thought that the Green Castle would never be reached.

However, at last, they did get there, and everyone who was in it ran to

see the Prince dismount from his singular steed.

But what was his surprise, when having at her request set the gazelle

gently down upon the steps which led up to the castle, he saw her

suddenly change into a charming Princess, and recognised in her his

pretty cousin Placida, who greeted him with her usual tranquil

sweetness. His delight knew no bounds, and he followed her eagerly up

into the castle, impatient to know what strange events had brought her

there. But after all he had to wait for the Princess's story, for the

inhabitants of the Green Lands, hearing that the Giant was dead, ran to

offer the kingdom to his vanquisher, and Prince Vivien had to listen to

various complimentary harangues, which took a great deal of time, though

he cut them as short as politeness allowed--if not shorter. But at last

he was free to rejoin Placida, who at once began the story of her

adventures.

'After you had gone away,' said she, 'they tried to make me learn how to

govern the kingdom, which wearied me to death, so that I begged and

prayed Lolotte to take me away with her, and this she presently did, but

very reluctantly. However, having been transported to her grotto upon my

favourite couch, I spent several delicious days, soothed by the soft

green light, which was like a beech wood in the spring, and by the

murmuring of bees and the tinkle of falling water. But alas! Lolotte was

forced to go away to a general assembly of the Fairies, and she came

back in great dismay, telling me that her indulgence to me had cost her

dear, for she had been severely reprimanded and ordered to hand me over

to the Fairy Mirlifiche, who was already taking charge of you, and who

had been much commended for her management of you.'

'Fine management, indeed,' interrupted the Prince, 'if it is to her I

owe all the adventures I have met with! But go on with your story, my

cousin. I can tell you all about my doings afterwards, and then you can

judge for yourself.'

'At first I was grieved to see Lolotte cry,' resumed the Princess, 'but

I soon found that grieving was very troublesome, so I thought it better

to be calm, and very soon afterwards I saw the Fairy Mirlifiche arrive,

mounted upon her great unicorn. She stopped before the grotto and bade

Lolotte bring me out to her, at which she cried worse than ever, and

kissed me a dozen times, but she dared not refuse. I was lifted up on to

the unicorn, behind Mirlifiche, who said to me--

'"Hold on tight, little girl, if you don't want to break your neck."

'And, indeed, I had to hold on with all my might, for her horrible steed

trotted so violently that it positively took my breath away. However, at

last we stopped at a large farm, and the farmer and his wife ran out as

soon as they saw the Fairy, and helped us to dismount.

'I knew that they were really a King and Queen, whom the Fairies were

punishing for their ignorance and idleness. You may imagine that I was

by this time half dead with fatigue, but Mirlifiche insisted upon my

feeding her unicorn before I did anything else. To accomplish this I had

to climb up a long ladder into the hayloft, and bring down, one after

another, twenty-four handfuls of hay. Never, never before, did I have

such a wearisome task! It makes me shudder to think of it now, and that

was not all. In the same way I had to carry the twenty-four handfuls of

hay to the stable, and then it was supper time, and I had to wait upon

all the others. After that I really thought I should be allowed to go

peaceably to my little bed, but, oh dear no! First of all I had to make

it, for it was all in confusion, and then I had to make one for the

Fairy, and tuck her in, and draw the curtains round her, beside

rendering her a dozen little services which I was not at all accustomed

to. Finally, when I was perfectly exhausted by all this toil, I was free

to go to bed myself, but as I had never before undressed myself, and

really did not know how to begin, I lay down as I was. Unfortunately,

the Fairy found this out, and just as I was falling into a sweet

slumber, she made me get up once more, but even then I managed to escape

her vigilance, and only took off my upper robe. Indeed, I may tell you

in confidence, that I always find disobedience answer very well. One is

often scolded, it is true, but then one has been saved some trouble.

'At the earliest dawn of day Mirlifiche woke me, and made me take many

journeys to the stable to bring her word how her unicorn had slept, and

how much hay he had eaten, and then to find out what time it was, and if

it was a fine day. I was so slow, and did my errands so badly, that

before she left she called the King and Queen and said to them:

'"I am much more pleased with you this year. Continue to make the best

of your farm, if you wish to get back to your kingdom, and also take

care of this little Princess for me, and teach her to be useful, that

when I come I may find her cured of her faults. If she is not----"

'Here she broke off with a significant look, and mounting my enemy the

unicorn, speedily disappeared.

'Then the King and Queen, turning to me, asked me what I could do.

'"Nothing at all, I assure you," I replied in a tone which really ought

to have convinced them, but they went on to describe various

employments, and tried to discover which of them would be most to my

taste. However, at last I persuaded them that to do nothing whatever

would be the only thing that would suit me, and that if they really

wanted to be kind to me, they would let me go to bed and to sleep, and

not tease me about doing anything. To my great joy, they not only

permitted this, but actually, when they had their own meals, the Queen

brought my portion up to me. But early the next morning she appeared at

my bedside, saying, with an apologetic air:

'"My pretty child, I am afraid you must really make up your mind to get

up to-day. I know quite well how delightful it is to be thoroughly idle,

for when my husband and I were King and Queen we did nothing at all from

morning to night, and I sincerely hope that it will not be long before

those happy days will come again for us. But at present we have not

reached them, nor have you, and you know from what the Fairy said that

perhaps worse things may happen to us if she is not obeyed. Make haste,

I beg of you, and come down to breakfast, for I have put by some

delicious cream for you."

'It was really very tiresome, but as there was no help for it I went

down!

'But the instant breakfast was over they began again their cuckoo-cry of

"What will you do?" In vain did I answer--

'"Nothing at all, if it please you, madam."

'The Queen at last gave me a spindle and about four pounds of hemp upon

a distaff, and sent me out to keep the sheep, assuring me that there

could not be a pleasanter occupation, and that I could take my ease as

much as I pleased. I was forced to set out, very unwillingly, as you may

imagine, but I had not walked far before I came to a shady bank in what

seemed to me a charming place. I stretched myself cosily upon the soft

grass, and with the bundle of hemp for a pillow slept as tranquilly as

if there were no such things as sheep in the world, while they for their

part wandered hither and thither at their own sweet will, as if there

were no such thing as a shepherdess, invading every field, and browsing

upon every kind of forbidden dainty, until the peasants, alarmed by the

havoc they were making, raised a clamour, which at last reached the ears

of the King and Queen, who ran out, and seeing the cause of the

commotion, hastily collected their flock. And, indeed, the sooner the

better, since they had to pay for all the damage they had done. As for

me I lay still and watched them run, for I was very comfortable, and

there I might be still if they had not come up, all panting and

breathless, and compelled me to get up and follow them; they also

reproached me bitterly, but I need hardly tell you that they did not

again entrust me with the flock.

'But whatever they found for me to do it was always the same thing, I

spoilt and mismanaged it all, and was so successful in provoking even

the most patient people, that one day I ran away from the farm, for I

was really afraid the Queen would be obliged to beat me. When I came to

the little river in which the King used to fish, I found the boat tied

to a tree, and stepping in I unfastened it, and floated gently down with

the current. The gliding of the boat was so soothing that I did not

trouble myself in the least when the Queen caught sight of me and ran

along the bank, crying--

'"My boat, my boat! Husband, come and catch the little Princess who is

running away with my boat!"

'The current soon carried me out of hearing of her cries, and I dreamed

to the song of the ripples and the whisper of the trees, until the boat

suddenly stopped, and I found it was stuck fast beside a fresh green

meadow, and that the sun was rising. In the distance I saw some little

houses which seemed to be built in a most singular fashion, but as I was

by this time very hungry I set out towards them, but before I had walked

many steps, I saw that the air was full of shining objects which seemed

to be fixed, and yet I could not see what they hung from.

'I went nearer, and saw a silken cord hanging down to the ground, and

pulled it just because it was so close to my hand. Instantly the whole

meadow resounded to the melodious chiming of a peal of silver bells, and

they sounded so pretty that I sat down to listen, and to watch them as

they swung shining in the sunbeams. Before they ceased to sound, came a

great flight of birds, and each one perching upon a bell added its

charming song to the concert. As they ended, I looked up and saw a tall

and stately dame advancing towards me, surrounded and followed by a

vast flock of every kind of bird.

[Illustration]

'"Who are you, little girl," said she, "who dares to come where I allow

no mortal to live, lest my birds should be disturbed? Still, if you are

clever at anything," she added, "I might be able to put up with your

presence."

'"Madam," I answered, rising, "you may be very sure that I shall not do

anything to alarm your birds. I only beg you, for pity's sake, to give

me something to eat."

'"I will do that," she replied, "before I send you where you deserve to

go."

'And thereupon she despatched six jays, who were her pages, to fetch me

all sorts of biscuits, while some of the other birds brought ripe

fruits. In fact, I had a delicious breakfast, though I do not like to be

waited upon so quickly. It is so disagreeable to be hurried. I began to

think I should like very well to stay in this pleasant country, and I

said so to the stately lady, but she answered with the greatest disdain:

'"Do you think I would keep you here? You! Why what do you suppose

would be the good of you in this country, where everybody is wide-awake

and busy? No, no, I have shown you all the hospitality you will get from

me."

'With these words she turned and gave a vigorous pull to the silken rope

which I mentioned before, but instead of a melodious chime, there arose

a hideous clanging which quite terrified me, and in an instant a huge

Black Bird appeared, which alighted at the Fairy's feet, saying in a

frightful voice--

'"What do you want of me, my sister?"

'"I wish you to take this little Princess to my cousin, the Giant of the

Green Castle, at once," she replied, "and beg him from me to make her

work day and night upon his beautiful tapestry."

'At these words the great Bird snatched me up, regardless of my cries,

and flew off at a terrific pace----'

'Oh! you are joking, cousin,' interrupted Prince Vivien; 'you mean as

slowly as possible. I know that horrible Black Bird, and the lengthiness

of all his proceedings and surroundings.'

'Have it your own way,' replied Placida, tranquilly. 'I cannot bear

arguing. Perhaps, this was not even the same bird. At any rate, he

carried me off at a prodigious speed, and set me gently down in this

very castle of which you are now the master. We entered by one of the

windows, and when the Bird had handed me over to the Giant from whom you

have been good enough to deliver me, and given the Fairy's message, it

departed.

'Then the Giant turned to me, saying,

'"So you are an idler! Ah! well, we must teach you to work. You won't be

the first we have cured of laziness. See how busy all my guests are."

'I looked up as he spoke, and saw that an immense gallery ran all round

the hall, in which were tapestry frames, spindles, skeins of wool,

patterns, and all necessary things. Before each frame about a dozen

people were sitting, hard at work, at which terrible sight I fainted

away, and as soon as I recovered they began to ask me what I could do.

'It was in vain that I replied as before, and with the strongest desire

to be taken at my word, "Nothing at all."

'The Giant only said,

'"Then you must learn to do something; in this world there is enough

work for everybody."

'It appeared that they were working into the tapestry all the stories

the Fairies liked best, and they began to try and teach me to help them,

but from the first class, where they tried me to begin with, I sank

lower and lower, and not even the most simple stitches could I learn.

'In vain they punished me by all the usual methods. In vain the Giant

showed me his menagerie, which was entirely composed of children who

would not work! Nothing did me any good, and at last I was reduced to

drawing water for the dyeing of the wools, and even over that I was so

slow that this morning the Giant flew into a rage and changed me into a

gazelle. He was just putting me into the menagerie when I happened to

catch sight of a dog, and was seized with such terror that I fled away

at my utmost speed, and escaped through the outer court of the castle.

The Giant, fearing that I should be lost altogether, sent his green lion

after me, with orders to bring me back, cost what it might, and I should

certainly have let myself be caught, or eaten up, or anything, rather

than run any further, if I had not luckily met you by the fountain. And

oh!' concluded the Princess, 'how delightful it is once more to be able

to sit still in peace. I was so tired of trying to learn things.'

Prince Vivien said that, for his part, he had been kept a great deal too

still, and had not found it at all amusing, and then he recounted all

his adventures with breathless rapidity. How he had taken shelter with

Dame Patience, and consulted the Oracle, and voyaged in the paper ship.

Then they went hand in hand to release all the prisoners in the castle,

and all the Princes and Princesses who were in cages in the menagerie,

for the instant the Green Giant was dead they had resumed their natural

forms. As you may imagine, they were all very grateful, and Princess

Placida entreated them never, never to do another stitch of work so long

as they lived, and they promptly made a great bonfire in the courtyard,

and solemnly burnt all the embroidery frames and spinning wheels. Then

the Princess gave them splendid presents, or rather sat by while Prince

Vivien gave them, and there were great rejoicings in the Green Castle,

and everyone did his best to please the Prince and Princess. But with

all their good intentions, they often made mistakes, for Vivien and

Placida were never of one mind about their plans, so it was very

confusing, and they frequently found themselves obeying the Prince's

orders, very, very slowly, and rushing off with lightning speed to do

something that the Princess did not wish to have done at all, until,

by-and-by, the two cousins took to consulting with, and consoling one

another in all these little vexations, and at last came to be so fond of

each other that for Placida's sake Vivien became quite patient, and for

Vivien's sake Placida made the most unheard-of exertions. But now the

Fairies who had been watching all these proceedings with interest,

thought it was time to interfere, and ascertain by further trials if

this improvement was likely to continue, and if they really loved one

another. So they caused Placida to seem to have a violent fever, and

Vivien to languish and grow dull, and made each of them very uneasy

about the other, and then, finding a moment when they were apart, the

Fairy Mirlifiche suddenly appeared to Placida, and said--

'I have just seen Prince Vivien, and he seemed to me to be very ill.'

'Alas! yes, madam,' she answered, 'and if you will but cure him, you may

take me back to the farm, or bring the Green Giant to life again, and

you shall see how obedient I will be.'

'If you really wish him to recover,' said the Fairy, 'you have only to

catch the Trotting Mouse and the Chaffinch-on-the-Wing and bring them to

me. Only remember that time presses!'

She had hardly finished speaking before the Princess was rushing

headlong out of the castle gate, and the Fairy after watching her till

she was lost to sight, gave a little chuckle and went in search of the

Prince, who begged her earnestly to send him back to the Black Castle,

or to the paper boat if she would but save Placida's life. The Fairy

shook her head, and looked very grave. She quite agreed with him, the

Princess was in a bad way--'But,' said she, 'if you can find the Rosy

Mole, and give him to her she will recover.' So now it was the Prince's

turn to set off in a vast hurry, only as soon as he left the Castle he

happened to go in exactly the opposite direction to the one Placida had

taken. Now you can imagine these two devoted lovers hunting night and

day. The Princess in the woods, always running, always listening,

pursuing hotly after two creatures which seemed to her very hard to

catch, which she yet never ceased from pursuing. The Prince on the other

hand wandering continually across the meadows, his eyes fixed upon the

ground, attentive to every movement among the moles. He was forced to

walk slowly--slowly upon tip-toe, hardly venturing to breathe. Often he

stood for hours motionless as a statue, and if the desire to succeed

could have helped him he would soon have possessed the Rosy Mole. But

alas! all that he caught were black and ordinary, though strange to say

he never grew impatient, but always seemed ready to begin the tedious

hunt again. But this changing of character is one of the most ordinary

miracles which love works. Neither the Prince nor the Princess gave a

thought to anything but their quest. It never even occurred to them to

wonder what country they had reached. So you may guess how astonished

they were one day, when having at last been successful after their long

and weary chase, they cried aloud at the same instant: 'At last I have

saved my beloved,' and then recognising each other's voice looked up,

and rushed to meet one another with the wildest joy. Surprise kept them

silent while for one delicious moment they gazed into each other's eyes,

and just then who should come up but King Gridelin, for it was into his

kingdom they had accidentally strayed. He recognised them in his turn

and greeted them joyfully, but when they turned afterwards to look for

the Rosy Mole, the Chaffinch, and the Trotting-Mouse, they had vanished,

and in their places stood a lovely lady whom they did not know, the

Black Bird, and the Green Giant. King Gridelin had no sooner set eyes

upon the lady than with a cry of joy he clasped her in his arms, for it

was no other than his long-lost wife, Santorina, about whose

imprisonment in Fairyland you may perhaps read some day.

[Illustration]

Then the Black Bird and the Green Giant resumed their natural form, for

they were enchanters, and up flew Lolotte and Mirlifiche in their

chariots, and then there was a great kissing and congratulating, for

everybody had regained someone he loved, including the enchanters, who

loved their natural forms dearly. After this they repaired to the

Palace, and the wedding of Prince Vivien and Princess Placida was held

at once with all the splendour imaginable.

King Gridelin and Queen Santorina, after all their experiences, had no

further desire to reign, so they retired happily to a peaceful place,

leaving their kingdom to the Prince and Princess, who were beloved by

all their subjects, and found their greatest happiness all their lives

long in making other people happy.

Nonchalante et Papillon.