ult their memory by your
unwelcome presence!"

"Alas! alas!" cried Blondine, "my poor friends, Bonne-Biche and
Beau-Minon, why can I not atone by my death for the sufferings I have
caused them?" And she fell, sobbing piteously, upon the stones and
nettles; her grief and her repentance were so excessive that she did not
feel their sharp points in her tender flesh. She wept profusely a long
time. At last she arose and looked about her, hoping to find some
shelter where she might take refuge. Ruin only stared her in the face!

"Well," said she, "let the wild beasts tear me to pieces, let me die of
hunger and thirst, if I can expiate my sins here upon the tomb of
Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon!"

As she uttered these words, she heard a soft voice saying: "True
repentance can atone for the worst of crimes."

She raised her head and saw only an immense black Crow flying above her.

"Alas! alas!" said Blondine, "my repentance however true, however bitter
it may be, can never give me back the lives of my dear Bonne-Biche and
Beau-Minon!"

"Courage, courage, Blondine! redeem your fault by your repentance and
do not allow yourself to be utterly cast down by grief."

The poor princess arose and left the scene of desolation. She followed a
little path, where the large trees seemed to have rooted out the
brambles and the earth was covered with moss. She was utterly exhausted
with grief and fatigue and fell at the foot of a large tree, sobbing
piteously.

"Courage, Blondine!" said another voice; "courage and hope!"

She saw near her only a Frog, which was looking at her compassionately.

"Oh, Frog!" said the princess, "you seem to pity my anguish! What will
become of me now that I am alone and desolate in the world?"

"Courage and hope!" was the reply.

Blondine sighed deeply and looked around, hoping to discover some herb
or fruit to appease her hunger and thirst. She saw nothing and her tears
flowed freely. The sound of bells now somewhat dissipated her despairing
thoughts. She saw a beautiful cow approaching her, gently and slowly. On
arriving near her, the cow paused, bowed down, and showed her a silver
porringer attached to her neck by a chain of beaten gold.

Blondine was very grateful for this unexpected succor. She detached the
porringer, milked the cow and drank the sweet milk with delight. The
pretty, gentle cow signed to her to replace the porringer. Blondine
obeyed, kissed her on the neck and said, sadly:--