instrument of the wicked
enchanter, Curmudgeon."

"Alas! no. I am no phantom, nor, I trust, an instrument of mischief at
least to you. The phantom was formed in my likeness, because--because,
as the enchanter confessed, he could create nothing so beautiful as
myself by the utmost exertion of his arts."

The prince gazed at her in a trance of admiration, for never, with the
single exception of the phantom, and the idol princess of his dreams,
had he seen a being so enchantingly lovely. The lady received his
scrutiny with smiles of modest pleasure, and at length repeated her
question--

"Do you not know me, my prince?"

The prince emboldened by her smiles, or impelled by his destiny,
seated himself by her side, and gazed ardently, yet wistfully, in her
face. There was something in the expression of her eyes he fancied he
had seen before, but when or where he could not call to mind. At
length the lady, compassionating his perplexity, again anxiously
asked--

"Do you remember a certain little gold-fish?"

"Remember? I shall never forget," and his eyes glistened.

"Do you remember how you used to come to the crystal basin, at the
foot of the shining cascade, and stay all day long fondling a little
gold-fish, kissing its eyes, and hiding it in your bosom?"

"Remember!" cried the prince, "the recollection constitutes the hope,
or rather the despair, of my life. Would that I could see my dear
little companion again. Methinks I should then be happy, or at least
die content."

"Look in my face--look steadily," replied the lady, greatly agitated.

Their eyes met, and that look of mutual intelligence which never
deceives, disclosed the mystery. He recognized at once that glance of
mingled love and gratitude he had so often seen beaming from the soft
expressive eyes of the little gold-fish. He started from her side,
threw himself at her feet, and exclaimed--

"Tell me--tell me! art not _thou_ my little gold-fish?"

"I am," rejoined the lady. "Once thy little gold-fish, now thy
faithful and devoted handmaid, the Princess Violetta. It is to thy
constancy I am indebted for the recovery of my former self; and such
as I am, I will be to thee what thou choosest to make me."

"Mine forever! my beloved, my adored wife!" cried the prince, as he
folded her in his arms, kissed her as he was wont to do the little
gold-fish, and at that moment reaped the reward of all his sufferings.

After enjoying the first delights of mutual