e appeared in his
natural form and attempted to sprinkle some black liquid over the
bride and bridegroom, which was intended to kill them, but the Fairy
stretched out her wand and the liquid dropped on the Magician himself.
He fell down senseless, and the Princess's father, deeply offended at
the cruel revenge which had been attempted, ordered him to be removed
and locked up in prison.

Now as magicians lose all their power as soon as they are in prison,
the King felt himself much embarrassed at being thus at the mercy of
those he had so greatly offended. The Prince implored and obtained his
father's pardon, and the prison doors were opened.

No sooner was this done than the Wizard King was seen in the air under
the form of some unknown bird, exclaiming as he flew off that he would
never forgive either his son or the Fairy the cruel wrong they had
done him.

Everyone entreated the Fairy to settle in the kingdom where she now
was, to which she consented. She built herself a magnificent palace,
to which she transported her books and fairy secrets, and where she
enjoyed the sight of the perfect happiness she had helped to bestow on
the entire royal family.

THE NIXY[15]

There was once upon a time a miller who was very well off, and had as
much money and as many goods as he knew what to do with. But sorrow
comes in the night, and the miller all of a sudden became so poor that
at last he could hardly call the mill in which he sat his own. He
wandered about all day full of despair and misery, and when he lay
down at night he could get no rest, but lay awake all night sunk in
sorrowful thoughts.

One morning he rose up before dawn and went outside, for he thought
his heart would be lighter in the open air. As he wandered up and down
on the banks of the mill-pond he heard a rustling in the water, and
when he looked near he saw a white woman rising up from the waves.

He realised at once that this could be none other than the nixy of the
mill-pond, and in his terror he didn't know if he should fly away or
remain where he was. While he hesitated the nixy spoke, called him by
his name, and asked him why he was so sad.

When the miller heard how friendly her tone was, he plucked up heart
and told her how rich and prosperous he had been all his life up till
now, when he didn't know what he was to do for want and misery.

Then the nixy spoke comforting words to him, and promised that she
would make him richer and