ook the tiny creature in her arms and held it
close.]

So they quarreled among themselves, for they were beasts and knew no
better; and as they snarled and growled and howled, the maiden walked in
among them; and when the light which made her lovely fell upon them,
they ran and hid themselves in the depths of the forest, and the
child passed on in safety.

The rabbit still slept peacefully on her breast. At last she, too, grew
weary, and lay down to sleep on the leaves and moss; and the birds of
the forest watched her and sang to her, and nothing harmed her all the
night.

In the morning a party of horsemen rode through the forest, looking
behind each bush and tree as if they sought something very precious.

The forest glowed with splendor then, for the sun had come in all its
glory to scatter darkness and wake up the world. The darkest dells and
caves and lonely paths lost their horror in the morning light, and there
were violets blooming in the shadows of the pines.

The leaves glistened, the flowers lifted their heads, and everything was
glad but the horsemen, whose faces were full of gloom because their
hearts were sad.

They did not speak or smile as they rode on their search; and their
leader was the saddest of them all, though he wore a golden crown that
sparkled with many jewels.

They followed each winding path through the forest, till at last they
reached the spot where the little maiden lay.

The rabbit waked up at the sound of their coming, but the child slept
till a loud cry of gladness awakened her and she found herself in her
father's arms.

In the night-time the king's brave soldiers had driven his enemies from
his land, and opened the doors of the prison-house in which he and the
queen lay, and the king had ridden with them in haste to find his
darling child, who was worth his crown and his kingdom.

The sight of her face was the sunshine to lighten their hearts, and they
sent the glad news far and near, with blast of trumpet and shouts of
joy.

But in all their great happiness the child did not forget the rabbit,
and she said to it, "Come with me and I will take care of you, for my
father the king is here." But the rabbit thanked her and wanted to go
home.

"My babies are waiting," it said, "and I have my work to do in the
world. I pray you let me go."

So the child kissed it and bade it go; and she, too, went to her own
dear home. There she grew lovelier every day, for the light grew