horse of the Princess reared in affright, but his young
rider patted him on the neck, and quieted his fears.

"What do you and this young man want?" said the Princess to the
Gryphoness, "and why do you question me?"

"It is not of our own will that we do it," said the Gryphoness, very
respectfully; "but our master, the Inquisitive Dwarf, has sent us to
obtain information about the points on which the young man questioned
you; and until we have found out these things, it is impossible for
us to return."

"I am opposed to answering impertinent questions," replied the
Princess; "but in order to rid myself of you, I will tell you the
reason of my journey." And she then stated briefly the facts of the
case.

"Ah, me!" said the Gryphoness. "I am very sorry; but you cannot tell
us where you are going, and we cannot return until we know that. But
you need not desire to be rid of us, for it may be that we can assist
you in the object of your journey. This young man is sometimes very
useful, and I shall be glad to do any thing that I can to help you.
If you should think that I would injure you, or willingly annoy you
by my presence, it would grieve me to the heart." And as she spoke, a
tear bedimmed her eye.

The Princess was touched by the emotion of the Gryphoness.

"You may accompany me," she said, "and I will trust you both. You
must know this country better than I do. Have you any advice to give
me in regard to my journey?"

"One thing I would strongly advise," said the Gryphoness, "and that
is, that you do not travel any farther until we know in what
direction it will be best to go. There is an inn close by, kept by a
worthy woman. If you will stop there until to-morrow, this young man
and I will scour the country round about, and try to find some news
of your Prince. The young man will return and report to you to-morrow
morning. And if you should need help, or escort, he will aid and obey
you as your servant. As for me, unless we have found the Prince, I
shall continue searching for him. There is a prince in the city to
the north of my master's tower, and it is not unlikely that it is he
whom you seek."

"You can find out if it is he," answered the Princess, "by asking
about the philopena."

"That will I do," said the Gryphoness, "and I will return hither as
speedily as possible." And, with a respectful salutation, the
Gryphoness and the Absolute Fool departed by different ways.

The Princess then repaired to