daughters, and give them
dowries with this gold, and be of good cheer, for Renzolla will have
both father and mother in me; it is a great piece of luck for her that
she has fallen into my hands.'

[Illustration: The Lizard takes charge of Renzolla]

Masaniello, quite overcome with gratitude, thanked the lizard, and
returned home to his wife.

As soon as it was known how rich the peasant had become, suitors for the
hands of his daughters were not wanting, and very soon he married them
all off; and even then there was enough gold left to keep himself and
his wife in comfort and plenty all their days.

As soon as the lizard was left alone with Renzolla, she changed the cave
into a beautiful palace, and led the girl inside. Here she brought her
up like a little princess, and the child wanted for nothing. She gave
her sumptuous food to eat, beautiful clothes to wear, and a thousand
servants to wait on her.

Now, it happened, one day, that the king of the country was hunting in a
wood close to the palace, and was overtaken by the dark. Seeing a light
shining in the palace he sent one of his servants to ask if he could get
a night's lodging there.

When the page knocked at the door the lizard changed herself into a
beautiful woman, and opened it herself. When she heard the king's
request she sent him a message to say that she would be delighted to see
him, and give him all he wanted.

The king, on hearing this kind invitation, instantly betook himself to
the palace, where he was received in the most hospitable manner. A
hundred pages with torches came to meet him, a hundred more waited on
him at table, and another hundred waved big fans in the air to keep the
flies from him. Renzolla herself poured out the wine for him, and, so
gracefully did she do it, that his Majesty could not take his eyes off
her.

When the meal was finished and the table cleared, the king retired to
sleep, and Renzolla drew the shoes from his feet, at the same time
drawing his heart from his breast. So desperately had he fallen in love
with her, that he called the fairy to him, and asked her for Renzolla's
hand in marriage. As the kind fairy had only the girl's welfare at
heart, she willingly gave her consent, and not her consent only, but a
wedding portion of seven thousand golden guineas.

The king, full of delight over his good fortune, prepared to take his
departure, accompanied by Renzolla, who never so much as thanked the
fairy for all