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LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK “Your Majesty has forgotten it," replied Rachimburg, quietly. "The poor child is fatally wounded in the shoulder; he cannot recover. It would give him great happiness could he see Your Majesty before he dies." ‘Very well," returned the king; "lead me to him.” On his arrival at the castle Charming was met by the countess, who conducted him to a darkened room. The page was stretched, pale and bleeding, on a couch: nevertheless, he had strength to raise his head and welcome the king. . What a miracle!” exclaimed Charming. ‘This is the strangest wound that I ever saw in my life: one side of Tonto’s mustache is gone!" “Sire,” said the countess, "the blade of the sword probably swept off one side. Nothing is so capricious as sword wounds, as every one knows.”’ "How strange!" cried the king. ‘On one side it is Tonto, my page, my insolent subject, and on the other it is —no, I am not mistaken—it is you, my good angel and my savior; It 15 you, my poor Pazza!”’ He fell on his knees and seized her hand, which lay on the coverlet. ‘Sire,’ said Pazza, "my days are numbered, but before dying—”’ “No, no, Pazza, you shall not die,” cried the king, in tears. 192
