help feeling rather hurt at the
apparent indifference with which she was received.

She related all the dangers and difficulties she had gone through, and
though she repeated the story twenty times in a loud clear voice, the
Prince slept on and took no heed. She then had recourse to the golden
pomegranate, and on opening it found that all the seeds were as many
little violins which flew up in the vaulted roof and at once began
playing melodiously.

The Prince was not completely roused, but he opened his eyes a little
and looked all the handsomer.

Impatient at not being recognised, Fairer-than-a-Fairy now drew out
her third present, and on opening the crystal scent-bottle a little
syren flew out, who silenced the violins and then sang close to the
Prince's ear the story of all his lady love had suffered in her search
for him. She added some gentle reproaches to her tale, but before she
had got far he was wide awake, and transported with joy threw himself
at the Princess's feet. At the same moment the walls of the room
expanded and opened out, revealing a golden throne covered with
jewels. A magnificent Court now began to assemble, and at the same
time several elegant carriages filled with ladies in magnificent
dresses drove up. In the first and most splendid of these carriages
sat Prince Rainbow's mother. She fondly embraced her son, after which
she informed him that his father had been dead for some years, that
the anger of the Fairies was at length appeased, and that he might
return in peace to reign over his people, who were longing for his
presence.

The Court received the new King with joyful acclamations which would
have delighted him at any other time, but all his thoughts were full
of Fairer-than-a-Fairy. He was just about to present her to his mother
and the Court, feeling sure that her charms would win all hearts, when
the three green and white sisters appeared.

They declared the secret of Fairer-than-a-Fairy's royal birth, and the
Queen taking the two lovers in her carriage set off with them for the
capital of the kingdom.

Here they were received with tumultuous joy. The wedding was
celebrated without delay, and succeeding years diminished neither the
virtues, beauty, nor the mutual affection of King Rainbow and his
Queen, Fairer-than-a-Fairy.

_THE THREE BROTHERS_[17]

There was once upon a time a witch, who in the shape of a hawk used
every night to break the windows of a certain villa