nor woodman ever visited this lonely retreat.

Tired with his long ramble, Violet sat down at the foot of a lofty
tree, whose roots seemed to drink of the crystal basin, and fell into
a deep reverie, during which his eyes were fixed unconsciously on the
transparent water, which, though clear as our northern lakes, was so
deep that no one could see the bottom. While thus occupied in weaving
webs of youthful anticipation, he saw a little gold-fish suddenly dart
from under the rock on which he was seated, and play around with
infinite grace, quivering its fins and fanning its tail, while their
bright colors glittered in the rippling water with indescribable
brilliancy.

The youth watched its motions with increasing interest, and an
eagerness he had never experienced before. Sometimes it would come up
close to the spot, almost within reach of his hand, and after
balancing on the surface awhile, again dart away, only to return and
play a thousand fantastic gambols, full of vivacity and grace. At
other times it would remain stationary awhile, looking him in the face
with its mellow, melancholy eyes, and an expression of sorrowful
tenderness that sunk into his heart. He remained watching its motions
in deep solicitude, until the gathering shadows of twilight warned him
away, and reached home so late that he found his father anxiously
awaiting his return. The Old Man of the Hills inquired of him where he
had been, and what had detained him so long; but he answered
evasively, being ashamed to confess he had been fascinated by a little
gold-fish.

That night he could think of nothing but the little gold-fish, and
when at length sleep came over his eyelids, he dreamed it was a
beautiful princess, transformed by the power of some wicked enchanter
or malignant fairy. The impression was so vivid in his mind, that when
he awoke he could not decide whether it was indeed a dream, or whether
he had not actually seen the charming princess, whose features were
indelibly impressed on his memory. The next morning he again sought
the path he had traveled the day before, and about mid-day arrived at
the glen of the shining cascade. He had scarcely seated himself, when
the little gold-fish darted from under the rock as before, and winning
its way to the surface of the crystal basin, looked at him with an
expression of its beautiful eyes that spoke a joyful welcome. Violet
put forth his hand, and tried to woo it still nearer, but it only gav