and moistened her tattered dress. For
a moment, Little One's heart ceased aching with its own troubles.

"What is your name, little girl?" said she: "and why do you weep?"

"My name is Poor Dorel," replied the child; "my father and mother are
long since dead; and I have nothing to eat but goat's milk and
strawberries:" and, as she spoke, the large tears started afresh.

"Poor Dorel! you are the first one I ever saw who had as much trouble
as I. I, too, have lost a father and mother."

"Were they a king and queen?" asked Dorel, wiping her eyes, and gazing
at Little One's beautiful dress and glittering ornaments.

"They loved me dearly," replied Little One sadly; "yet I never heard
that they were king and queen. Come with me, darling Dorel! I never
before saw any one who was hungry. Come with me! I live in a country
where there is food enough for everybody."

"Where is that?" said Dorel, eagerly.

"I do not quite know, little girl; but it is not in the bosom of the
earth, and it is not in the sun-bright deep: so I suppose it is over
the hills, and far away."

"Now I know who you are," said Dorel. "You are the _lost sylphid_; and
people say you have travelled all over the world. But, if you do not
know the way home, pray how can you tell which road to take?"

"Oh! I have a guide,--a beautiful fairy, called Whisper: she shows me
every step of the way. I wish you would go too, little Dorel!"

"I think I will not, little Sylphid; for, if you have only a Whisper
for a guide, I do not believe you will ever get there; but, oh, you
are very, very beautiful!"

"If you will not go," said Little One, "let me, at least, give you a
few of my jewels: you can sell them for bread."

So saying, she took from her girdle some turquoise ornaments, and
placed them in Dorel's hand with a kiss which had her whole heart in
it.

"Now I love you," said Dorel; "but more for the kiss than any thing
else; and I am going before you to cut down the thorns that shoot out
by the wayside. I am a little mountain-girl, and know how to use the
pruning-knife."

Little One danced for joy. She found she could now walk with wonderful
ease; for not only were there no more sharp thorns to prick her, but
her heart was also full of a new love, which made the whole world look
beautiful.

"You see the way is growing easier," said the Whisper.

"Pour out thy love like the rush of a river,
Wasting its waters forever and ever."

"So I will,