ucation. She succeeded so well with it, and little Graziella
grew so lovely, that when she was still quite a child her fame was
spread abroad only too much, and one day Placida was surprised by a
visit from the Fairy Queen, who was attended by a very grave and
severe-looking fairy.

The queen began at once: 'I have been much surprised by your behaviour
to Mutinosa; she had insulted our whole race, and deserved punishment.
You might forgive your own wrongs if you chose, but not those of others.
You treated her very gently whilst she was with you, and I come now to
avenge our wrongs on her daughter. You have ensured her being lovely and
clever, and not subject to change of form, but I shall place her in an
enchanted prison, which she shall never leave till she finds herself in
the arms of a lover whom she herself loves. It will be my care to
prevent anything of the kind happening.'

The enchanted prison was a large high tower in the midst of the sea,
built of shells of all shapes and colours. The lower floor was like a
great bathroom, where the water was let in or off at will. The first
floor contained the princess's apartments, beautifully furnished. On the
second was a library, a large wardrobe-room filled with beautiful
clothes and every kind of linen, a music room, a pantry with bins full
of the best wines, and a store-room with all manner of preserves,
bonbons, pastry and cakes, all of which remained as fresh as if just out
of the oven.

The top of the tower was laid out like a garden, with beds of the
loveliest flowers, fine fruit trees, and shady arbours and shrubs, where
many birds sang amongst the branches.

The fairies escorted Graziella and her governess, Bonnetta, to the
tower, and then mounted a dolphin which was waiting for them. At a
little distance from the tower the queen waved her wand and summoned two
thousand great fierce sharks, whom she ordered to keep close guard, and
not to let a soul enter the tower.

The good governess took such pains with Graziella's education that when
she was nearly grown up she was not only most accomplished, but a very
sweet, good girl.

One day, as the princess was standing on a balcony, she saw the most
extraordinary figure rise out of the sea. She quickly called Bonnetta to
ask her what it could be. It looked like some kind of man, with a bluish
face and long sea-green hair. He was swimming towards the tower, but the
sharks took no notice of him.

'It must be a m