o
silence profound reigned throughout the cavern, broken only by her
snores. The Prince searched and searched in every direction, under
heaps of costly jewels and glittering robes, piles of gold and silver,
and rich armour; but they had now no charms for him: the silver wand
which was to set him free to commence his noble career was all he sought
for--that wand, the type of knowledge, which can only be obtained by
study and perseverance. Day after day he sought for it; but at the end
of each day all he could say was that he believed he could tell where it
was not. The Dwarf came back equally unsuccessful; but still numberless
heaps had been turned over, intricate passages explored, profound depths
dived into, and unthought of recesses in the cavern discovered.

Five days had thus passed away; the Prince knew more about the cavern
than he had ever known before; the sixth day came, and that, too, ended.
He had added to his knowledge, but the silver wand had not been found.
He became anxious, as well he might. On the seventh the Enchantress
would awake and resume her power.

More diligently than ever he searched about; the Dwarf seconded his
efforts. Before him appeared, as he wandered on, a golden door. After
many a hearty shove he forced it open. A steep flight of rugged stone
steps led winding upwards he knew not where. Boldly he entered, and
climbed on, on, on. Though rough and steep were the steps he did not
weary or hesitate. Sometimes the stair was spiral, and he went round
and round, and sometimes it led him directly upwards. Scarcely a
glimmer of light enabled him to find his way; but the Dwarf was at his
heels, encouraging him, and he recollected the silver wand of which he
was in search, and persevered. Strong and healthy as he was he began to
draw his breath quickly, when the full light of the glorious sun burst
on him, and he found himself in a magnificent temple of alabaster, on
the summit of a lofty mountain.

From the windows of the temple he could behold the whole surrounding
country to a vast distance, far, far beyond the forest which grew round
the base of the mountain. There were cities and palaces, and silvery
streams, and rich fields, and glowing orchards, and meadows full of
cattle, and grassy downs covered with sheep--such a scene as he had not
beheld since his boyhood, when Kalyb first got possession of him. He
stood contemplating it with delight. How long he might have stood it is