adventure, the Fairy asked
for time to consult her books. After due consideration she informed
the Prince that the object of his search was not far distant, but that
it was too difficult for him to attempt to enter the enchanted palace
where she was, as the King his father had surrounded it with a thick
cloud, and that the only expedient she could think of would be to gain
possession of the Princess's parrot. This, she added, did not appear
impossible, as it often flew about to some distance in the
neighbourhood.

Having told the Prince all this, the Fairy went out in hopes of seeing
the parrot, and soon returned with the bird in her hand. She promptly
shut it up in a cage, and, touching the Prince with her wand,
transformed him into an exactly similar parrot; after which, she
instructed him how to reach the Princess.

The Prince reached the palace in safety, but was so dazzled at first
by the Princess's beauty, which far surpassed his expectations, that
he was quite dumb for a time. The Princess was surprised and anxious,
and fearing the parrot, who was her greatest comfort, had fallen ill,
she took him in her hand and caressed him. This soon reassured the
Prince, and encouraged him to play his part well, and he began to say
a thousand agreeable things which charmed the Princess.

Presently the King appeared, and the parrot noticed with joy how much
he was disliked. As soon as the King left, the Princess retired to her
dressing-room, the parrot flew after her and overheard her
lamentations at the continued persecutions of the King, who had
pressed her to consent to their marriage. The parrot said so many
clever and tender things to comfort her that she began to doubt
whether this could indeed be her own parrot.

When he saw her well-disposed towards him, he exclaimed: 'Madam, I
have a most important secret to confide to you, and I beg you not to
be alarmed by what I am about to say. I am here on behalf of the Queen
your mother, with the object of delivering your Highness; to prove
which, behold this portrait which she gave me herself.' So saying he
drew forth the miniature from under his wing. The Princess's surprise
was great, but after what she had seen and heard it was impossible not
to indulge in hope, for she had recognised the likeness of herself
which her mother always wore.

[Illustration: The Wizard King Pays a Visit to the Princess]

The parrot, finding she was not much alarmed, told her who he was, a