Stranica 61 [61]
lhe Hind í1n-the Wood. a
épine, who learned each night from the Princess’s officers the progress they
were making, urged her mother to execute her plans. So about midday, when
the sun’s rays were at their height, she suddenly cut the roof of the coach
with a large knife. ‘Then, for the first time, Princess Désirée saw the light of
day. She had scarcely looked at it, and heaved a deep sigh, when she sprang
from the coach in the form of a White Hind, and bounded off to the forest,
whcre she hid herself in a dark covert.
The Fairy of the Fountain, who had brought about this event, seemed bent
on the destruction of the world. Thunder and lightning terrified the boldest,
and no one remained but the lady-in-waiting, Longue-épine, and Giroflée, the
latter of whom ran after her mistress. The two others lost not a moment in
executing their project. Longue-épine dressed herself in Désirée’s richest
apparel, and followed by her mother, set forth towards the city, and were met
by the King and his son. The King, advancing with all his court, joined the
false Princess; but the moment he saw her, he gave a cry, and fell back.
‘What do I see?’ said he. “ Sire,” said the lady-in-waiting, boldly advancing,
‘this is the Princess Désirée, with letters from the King and Queen. I also
deliver into your hands the casket of jewels which they gave me on setting out.”
The King heard this in sullen silence, and the Prince, leaning upon Becafigue,
approached Longue-épine, who was as ugly as Désirée was beautiful.
Struck with astonishment, ‘‘ I am betrayed,’ cried he, addressing himself to
the King. ‘What mean you, my lord?” said Longue-épine ; ‘‘ know that you
will never be deceived in marrying me.” ‘The King and Prince did not answer
her; they each remounted their litters, one of the body-guards placed the
sham Princess behind him, and the lady-in-waiting was similarly treated ; they
were then carried into the city, and were shut up 1n a castle.
Prince Guerrier was so overwhelmed by the shock that he could no longer
endure the court, and determined to leave it secretly, to seek out some solitary
place wherein to pass the remainder of his sad life. He communicated his
plan to Becafigue; v ve felt persuaded, would follow him anywhere. He
left upon his table a long letter for the King, assuring him that the moment his
mind was more at "se . uld return.
While everybody end ived to console the King, the Prince and Becafigue
sped away, @:id at the eria of three days found themselves ina vast forest,
where ‘he rince, who was still ill, dismounted, while Becafigue went to seek
for some fruits for their refreshment.
| | me since we left the Hind in the Wood. The Fairy Tulip felt
console the Princess. Giroflée was looking for her dear mistress, when the
_ sv her, and leaping a brook, ran up eagerly and caressed her a thousand