ror could discover to be so bewitched by
her. Was it a reason sufficient for him not to cast his eyes on you,
because she was somewhat younger? You were as worthy of his throne, and
in justice he ought to have preferred you."

"Sister," said the elder, "I should not have regretted if his majesty
had but pitched upon you; but that he should choose that little
simpleton really grieves me. But I will revenge myself; and you, I
think, are as much concerned as I; therefore, I propose that we should
contrive measures and act in concert: communicate to me what you think
the likeliest way to mortify her, while I, on my side, will inform you
what my desire of revenge shall suggest to me." After this wicked
agreement, the two sisters saw each other frequently, and consulted how
they might disturb and interrupt the happiness of the queen. They
proposed a great many ways, but in deliberating about the manner of
executing them, found so many difficulties that they durst not attempt
them. In the meantime, with a detestable dissimulation, they often went
together to make her visits, and every time showed her all the marks of
affection they could devise, to persuade her how overjoyed they were to
have a sister raised to so high a fortune. The queen, on her part,
constantly received them with all the demonstrations of esteem they
could expect from so near a relative. Some time after her marriage, the
expected birth of an heir gave great joy to the queen and emperor, which
was communicated to all the court, and spread throughout the empire.
Upon this news the two sisters came to pay their compliments, and
proffered their services, desiring her, if not provided with nurses, to
accept of them.

The queen said to them most obligingly: "Sisters, I should desire
nothing more, if it were in my power to make the choice. I am, however,
obliged to you for your goodwill, but must submit to what the emperor
shall order on this occasion. Let your husbands employ their friends to
make interest, and get some courtier to ask this favour of his majesty,
and if he speaks to me about it, be assured that I shall not only
express the pleasure he does me but thank him for making choice of you."

The two husbands applied themselves to some courtiers, their patrons,
and begged of them to use their interest to procure their wives the
honour they aspired to. Those patrons exerted themselves so much in
their behalf that the emperor promised them to consider of