Stranica 96 [96]
OCR
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK as large as a rabbit, was seated in a velvet easy-chair. It was the fairy of the place. The charming Crapaudine was draped in a scarlet mantle covered with glittering spangles, and wore on her head a ruby diadem whose luster lighted up her fat cheeks mottled with green and yellow. As soon as she perceived Graceful she extended to him her fingers, covered with rings, which the poor boy was obliged respectfully to raise to his lips as he bowed. "My friend,” said the fairy to him, in a hoarse voice, which she vainly tried to soften, "I was expecting you, and I will not be less generous to you than my sisters have been. On the way here you have seen but a small part of my riches. This palace, with its pictures, its statues, and its coffers full of gold, these vast domains, and these innumerable flocks, all may be yours if you wish; it depends only on yourself to become the richest and happiest of men." “What must I do for this?" asked Graceful, greatly excited. "Less than nothing,” replied the fairy;> ““chop me up into little pieces and eat me. It is not a very disagreeable thing to do,” added Crapaudine, looking at Graceful with eyes redder than usual. "Can I not season you, at least?” said Graceful, who had been unable to look without envy at the beautiful gardens of the fairy. "No, you must eat me without seasoning; but walk about 70
