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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 grandmother 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 76
