Stranica 62 [62]
The Hind in the Wood. 5
times. Giroflée looked at it earnestly, and could not doubt that it was her
dear Princess. ‘Their tears affected the Fairy Tulip, who suddenly appeared.
Giroflée entreated her to restore Désirée to her natural form. ‘I cannot do
that,’ said Tulip; ‘‘ but I can shorten her term of punishment; and to soften
it, as soon as day gives place to night, she shall quit the form of a hind—but,
as soon as it is dawn, she must return to it, and roam the plains and forests
like the other animals.”
“Proceed by this path,” continued she, ‘‘and you will come to a little hut.”
So saying, she disappeared. Giroflée followed her directions, and found an old
woman seated upon the step of the door finishing an osier basket. She led
them into a very pretty room, in which were two little beds. As soon as it was
quite dark, Désirée ceased to be a hind; she embraced Giroflée, and promised
that she would reward her the moment her penance had ended. The old
woman knocked at their door, and gave them some fruit. They then went to
bed, and as soon as daylight appeared, Désirée, having become a hind again,
plunged into the wood. Meanwhile Becafigue arrived at the cottage and asked
the old woman for several things his master wanted. She filled a basket for
him, and offered them shelter for the night, which was accepted.
The Prince slept restlessly, and as soon as it was day he arose and went into
the forest. After he had walked for some time a hind started off, and he let
fly an arrow at her. This hind was no other than Désirée, but her friend
Tulip preserved her from being struck. She felt very tired, as such exercise
was quite new to her. At last the Prince lost sight of her, and being fatigued
himself, gave up the pursuit.
The next day the Prince again went to the forest, determined that the hind
should not escape him. He walked about for some time, and, being much
heated, he lay down and fell into a sleep; and while he was sleeping the hind
came to the spot. She crouched down a little distance from him and touched
him, when he awoke. His surprise was great; she ran off with all her might,
and he followed her. At length she could run no longer, and the Prince
came up to her with delight. He saw she had lost all her strength, so he cut
some branches from the trees, covered them with moss,,and_placing her gently
upon the boughs, sat down near her. She became very uncasy, however, as
night approached. She was thinking how to escape, when the wrince left her
to search for some water. While he was gone she stole away, and safely
reached the cottage. The Prince returned as soon as he had found a spring,
and sought her everywhere, but in vain; so he returned to the cottage and
related to his friend the adventure with the hind, accusing her of ingratitude.
Becafigue laughed, and ©. vised him to punish her when he had the chance,
Daylight returned, anc ~rincess resumed her form of the white hind, and