of my own life."

"Listen, then, Violette. I am the fairy Drolette. I love Ourson, I love
you and I love your family. The venom which my sister the fairy Furious
has blown upon the head of Ourson is sufficient to cause his death.
Nevertheless, if you are sincere, if you really feel for Ourson the
sentiments of gratitude and tenderness which you express, his life is in
your hands. You are permitted to redeem it! But remember that you will
soon be called upon to give the most terrible proof of your attachment
and that if he lives you will pay for his existence by a most horrible
sacrifice."

"Oh, madam! quick, quick, tell me what I am to do to save my dear
Ourson. Nothing will be terrible to me, all will be joy and happiness if
you aid me to save my brother Ourson."

"Well, my child, very well," replied the fairy. "Kiss his left ear three
times, saying at each kiss: _'To thee!--For thee!--With thee!'_ Reflect
again, Violette, before undertaking this cure. If you are not prepared
for the most difficult sacrifices, the greatest misfortunes will
overwhelm you and my sister Furious will be the mistress of your life."

As her only reply, Violette crossed her hands upon her breast, cast upon
the fairy, who was about to fly away, a look of tender gratitude, and,
throwing herself upon Ourson, she kissed his left ear three times,
saying, with an accent loving and penetrating:

"To thee!--For thee!--With thee!"

Scarcely had she said these words, when Ourson uttered a profound sigh,
opened his eyes, perceived Violette and seizing her hands carried them
to his lips, saying:

"Violette, dear Violette! it seems to me I am awaking from a long dream.
Tell me all that has passed. Why am I here? Why are you so pale and
thin? Your cheeks are hollow, you seem to have grown old and your
beautiful eyes are red with weeping."

"Hush!" said Violette, "do not wake your mother, who is sleeping by your
side. She has not slept for a long time and is much fatigued. You have
been very ill, Ourson!"

"And you, dear Violette, have you been resting?"

Violette blushed and hesitated.

"How could I sleep, dear Ourson, when I was the cause of all your
sufferings?"

Ourson was silent. He looked at her tenderly, kissed her hands and again
asked her to tell him what had passed. She told him but she was too
modest and too truly devoted to reveal to him the price that the fairy
had affixed to his cure. Ourson, therefore, was far from knowing the