aches to her tale, but before she had got
far he was wide awake, and transported with joy threw himself at the
Princess's feet. At the same moment the walls of the room expanded and
opened out, revealing a golden throne covered with jewels. A magnificent
Court now began to assemble, and at the same time several elegant
carriages filled with ladies in magnificent dresses drove up. In the
first and most splendid of these carriages sat Prince Rainbow's mother.
She fondly embraced her son, after which she informed him that his
father had been dead for some years, that the anger of the Fairies was
at length appeased, and that he might return in peace to reign over his
people, who were longing for his presence.

The Court received the new King with joyful acclamations which would
have delighted him at any other time, but all his thoughts were full of
Fairer-than-a-Fairy. He was just about to present her to his mother and
the Court, feeling sure that her charms would win all hearts, when the
three green and white sisters appeared.

They declared the secret of Fairy-than-a-Fairy's royal birth, and the
Queen taking the two lovers in her carriage set off with them for the
capital of the kingdom.

Here they were received with tumultuous joy. The wedding was celebrated
without delay, and succeeding years diminished neither the virtues,
beauty, nor the mutual affection of King Rainbow and his Queen,
Fairer-than-a-Fairy.

THE THREE BROTHERS(17)

(17) From the Polish. Kletke.

There was once upon a time a witch, who in the shape of a hawk used
every night to break the windows of a certain village church. In the
same village there lived three brothers, who were all determined to kill
the mischievous hawk. But in vain did the two eldest mount guard in the
church with their guns; as soon as the bird appeared high above their
heads, sleep overpowered them, and they only awoke to hear the windows
crashing in.

Then the youngest brother took his turn of guarding the windows, and to
prevent his being overcome by sleep he placed a lot of thorns under his
chin, so that if he felt drowsy and nodded his head, they would prick
him and keep him awake.

The moon was already risen, and it was as light as day, when suddenly he
heard a fearful noise, and at the same time a terrible desire to sleep
overpowered him.

His eyelids closed, and his head sank on his shoulders, but the thorns
ran into him and were so painful that he awoke a