Oldal 162 [162]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
in a word, from head to foot she was the most enchanting
creature that had ever descended from heaven to earth.
It is a great pity that we have no likeness of her.
At the sight of his bride the prince almost lost his reason
from joy and surprise. He could not understand how this
miracle of freshness and beauty had sprung from the bitter
rind of a citron.
“Am I asleep?” he cried. “Am I dreaming? H I am
the sport of a delusion, for pity’s sake do not awaken me.”
The fairy’s smile soon reassured him. She accepted his
hand, and was the first to ask to repair to the good king
of the Vermilion Towers, who would be so happy to bless
his children.
“My love," answered Carlino, “I am as impatient as you
to see my father and to prove to him that I was right; but
we cannot enter the castle arm in arm like two peasants.
You must go like a princess; you must be received like a
queen. Wait for me by this fountain; I will run to the
palace, and return in two hours with a dress and equipage
worthy of you." Saying this, he tenderly kissed her hand
and left her.
The young girl was afraid, on finding herself alone; the
cry of a raven, the rustling of the trees, a dead branch
broken by the wind, everything frightened her. She
looked tremblingly about her, and saw an old oak by the
side of the fountain whose huge trunk offered her a shelter.
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