less and less
frequently. The Marshal told him that there was excellent carp-fishing
to be had on the Crystal Lake a few miles from Eswareinmal, and he took
up this sport, making solitary expeditions to the lake, from which he
returned in better spirits for a time. But even this occupation soon
palled, and the whole Court were struck by his increasing dejection,
which, rightly or wrongly, they attributed to the absence of Lady
Daphne.

CHAPTER XV

"RIVEN WITH VAIN ENDEAVOUR"

After a few hours' flight the Fairy Vogelflug's team of doves had safely
deposited her at the entrance to the Palace of King Tournesol. She
ascertained that Prince Mirliflor was within and went at once to his
apartments. He received her with his usual respect, but there was a
reserve in his manner which showed that the memory of his late fiasco
was still rankling. His reserve increased perceptibly after she had
explained the purpose of her visit. He altogether declined to consider a
second matrimonial venture on her recommendation, hinting as politely as
possible that her idea of a suitable consort for him was too unlikely to
correspond with his own. "You mean with the ideal of your visions?" she
said. "And you saw her again last night. Now didn't you, Mirliflor?"

"I did," he said; "but how did you know that?"

"How did I know? Because I sent you the vision, of course. I sent you
the former one, too, though there were reasons why I couldn't tell you
so till now."

"And why do you tantalise me by making me dream of an unattainable
perfection?" he asked hotly. "Can you suppose that anything short of it
will ever content me now? Since I cannot hope to find so sweet and fair
a Princess in all the world, I am only the more resolved to live and die
unmarried!"

"She exists, or I could not have shown her to you in a vision. You have
only to do exactly as I tell you, Mirliflor, and you shall see her, and
win her, if you can."

"You said all that about the other one, Godmother Voldoiseau," he
replied. "No, it's no good. I really can't trust you again."

"Don't be obstinate, Mirliflor, or you'll put me in a passion, and
that's dangerous at my age. I grant you I was wrong about Princess Edna.
But I'm not wrong now. I assure you that, if you saw this girl, you
would own that she was no less fair than she appeared in your visions."

"But if there indeed lives so lovely a Princess," he said, "how comes it
that I have never heard of her exis