ting ready to receive him.

When the emperor had entered the court-yard and alighted at the portico,
the princess came and threw herself at his feet, and the two princes
informed him she was their sister, and besought him to accept her
respects.

The emperor stooped to raise her, and after he had gazed some time on
her beauty, struck with her fine person and dignified air, he said: "The
brothers are worthy of the sister, and she worthy of them; since, if I
may judge of her understanding by her person, I am not amazed that the
brothers would do nothing without their sister's consent; but," added
he, "I hope to be better acquainted with you, my daughter, after I have
seen the house."

"Sir," said the princess, "it is only a plain country residence, fit for
such people as we are, who live retired from the great world. It is not
to be compared with the magnificent palaces of emperors." "I cannot
perfectly agree with you in opinion," said the emperor very obligingly,
"for its first appearance makes me suspect you; however, I will not pass
my judgment upon it till I have seen it all; therefore be pleased to
conduct me through the apartments."

The princess led the emperor through all the rooms except the hall; and,
after he had considered them very attentively, and admired their
variety, "My daughter," said he to the princess, "do you call this a
country house? The finest and largest cities would soon be deserted if
all country houses were like yours. I am no longer surprised that you
despise the town. Now let me see the garden, which I doubt not is
answerable to the house."

The princess opened a door which led into the garden, and the first
object which presented itself to the emperor's view was the golden
fountain. Surprised at so rare an object, he asked from whence that
wonderful water, which gave so much pleasure to behold, had been
procured; where was its source, and by what art it was made to play so
high. He said he would presently take a nearer view of it.

The princess then led him to the spot where the harmonious tree was
planted; and there the emperor heard a concert, different from all he
had ever heard before; and stopping to see where the musicians were, he
could discern nobody far or near, but still distinctly heard the music
which ravished his senses. "My daughter," said he to the princess,
"where are the musicians whom I hear? Are they under ground, or
invisible in the air? Such excellent performers