Stranica 102 [102]
LABOULA VE’ S°RAIRY BOOK
shaking the water from both ears, ran to the kennels of
the palace, where he was met by magnificent watch-dogs,
which, instead of barking and growling at the new-comer,
welcomed him joyfully like an old friend. Graceful had at
last found the Fountain of Immortality, or rather the brook
that flowed from it—a brook already greatly weakened,
and which only gave two or three hundred years of life to
those that drank of it; but nothing prevented them from
drinking anew.
Graceful filled his vial with this life-giving water and
approached the palace. His heart beat, for a last trial
remained. So near success, he feared the more to fail.
He mounted the steps of the castle. All was closed and
silent; no one was there to receive the traveler. When he
had reached the last step and was about to knock at the
door, a voice, rather gentle than harsh, stopped him.
" Have you loved?" said the invisible voice.
“Yes,” answered Graceful; “I have loved my grand¬
mother better than any one in the world.”
The door opened a little way.
“Have you suffered for her whom you have loved?”
resumed the voice.
"1 have suffered,” replied Graceful; "much through my
own fault, doubtless, but a little for her whom I wished to
save.
The door opened half-way and the child caught a glimpse
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