he youth entered he found many
splendid chambers, each one finer than the last. Hundreds of tapers
burnt upon golden candlesticks, and shed a light like the brightest
day. At length they reached a chamber where a table was spread with
the most costly dishes. At the table were placed two chairs, one of
silver, the other of gold. The maiden seated herself upon the golden
chair, and offered the silver one to her companion. They were served
by maidens dressed in white, whose feet made no sound as they moved
about, and not a word was spoken during the meal. Afterwards the youth
and the Witch-maiden conversed pleasantly together, until a woman,
dressed in red, came in to remind them that it was bedtime. The youth
was now shown into another room, containing a silken bed with down
cushions, where he slept delightfully, yet he seemed to hear a voice
near his bed which repeated to him, 'Remember to give no blood!'

The next morning the maiden asked him whether he would not like to
stay with her always in this beautiful place, and as he did not answer
immediately, she continued: 'You see how I always remain young and
beautiful, and I am under no one's orders, but can do just what I
like, so that I have never thought of marrying before. But from the
moment I saw you I took a fancy to you, so if you agree, we might be
married and might live together like princes, because I have great
riches.'

The youth could not but be tempted with the beautiful maiden's offer,
but he remembered how the birds had called her the witch, and their
warning always sounded in his ears. Therefore he answered cautiously,
'Do not be angry, dear maiden, if I do not decide immediately on this
important matter. Give me a few days to consider before we come to an
understanding.'

'Why not?' answered the maiden. 'Take some weeks to consider if you
like, and take counsel with your own heart.' And to make the time pass
pleasantly, she took the youth over every part of her beautiful
dwelling, and showed him all her splendid treasures. But these
treasures were all produced by enchantment, for the maiden could make
anything she wished appear by the help of King Solomon's signet ring;
only none of these things remained fixed; they passed away like the
wind without leaving a trace behind. But the youth did not know this;
he thought they were all real.

One day the maiden took him into a secret chamber, where a little gold
box was standing on a silver table. Pointi