t, and ordered a trusty servant to find
out who was that beautiful maiden, and where she lived. So the servant
followed in her footsteps; but when Zezolla noticed the trick she threw
on the ground a handful of crown-pieces which she had made the
date-tree give her for this purpose. Then the servant lighted his
lantern, and was so busy picking up all the crown-pieces that he forgot
to follow the palfrey; and Zezolla came home quite safely, and had
changed her clothes, as the fairy told her, before the wicked sisters
arrived, and, to vex her and make her envious, told her of all the fine
things they had seen. But the King was very angry with the servant, and
warned him not to miss finding out next time who this beautiful maiden
was, and where she dwelt.

Soon there was another feast, and again the sisters all went to it,
leaving poor Zezolla at home on the kitchen hearth. Then she ran
quickly to the date-tree, and repeated the spell, and instantly there
appeared a number of damsels, one with a looking-glass, another with a
bottle of rose-water, another with the curling-irons, another with
combs, another with pins, another with dresses, and another with capes
and collars. And they decked her out as glorious as the sun, and put
her in a coach drawn by six white horses, and attended by footmen and
pages in livery. And no sooner did she appear in the ball-room than the
hearts of the sisters were filled with amazement, and the King was
overcome with love.

When Zezolla went home the servant followed her again, but so that she
should not be caught she threw down a handful of pearls and jewels, and
the good fellow, seeing that they were not things to lose, stayed to
pick them up. So she had time to slip away and take off her fine dress
as before.

Meanwhile the servant had returned slowly to the King, who cried out
when he saw him, "By the souls of my ancestors, if you do not find out
who she is you shall have such a thrashing as was never before heard
of, and as many kicks as you have hairs in your beard!"

When the next feast was held, and the sisters were safely out of the
house, Zezolla went to the date-tree, and once again repeated the
spell. In an instant she found herself splendidly arrayed and seated in
a coach of gold, with ever so many servants around her, so that she
looked just like a queen. Again the sisters were beside themselves with
envy; but this time, when she left the ball-room, the King's servant
kept cl