milk and fruits, carried them to the
poor creature for the last time; but on opening the door he perceived an
extraordinary luster in one corner of the room, and casting his eye on
the place he was surprised to see a lady, whose noble and majestic air
made him immediately conclude she was a princess of royal birth. Her
habit was of purple satin, embroidered with pearls and diamonds; she
advanced toward him with a gracious smile.

"Young prince," said she, "you find no longer your pet snake, but me,
the fairy Gentilla, ready to requite your generosity. For know that we
fairies live a hundred years in flourishing youth, without diseases,
without trouble or pain; and this term being expired, we become snakes
for eight days. During that time it is not in our power to prevent any
misfortune that may befall us; and if we happen to be killed, we never
revive again. But these eight days being expired, we resume our usual
form and recover our beauty, our power, and our riches. Now you know
how much I am obliged to your goodness, and it is but just that I should
repay my debt of gratitude; think how I can serve you and depend on me."

The young prince, who had never conversed with a fairy till now, was so
surprised that it was a long time before he could speak. But at length,
making a profound reverence, "Madam," said he, "since I have had the
honor to serve you, I know not any other happiness that I can wish for."

"I should be sorry," replied she, "not to be of service to you in
something; consider, it is in my power to bestow on you long life,
kingdoms, riches; to give you mines of diamonds and houses full of gold;
I can make you an excellent orator, poet, musician, and painter; or, if
you desire it, a spirit of the air, the water, or the earth."

Here Leander interrupted her. "Permit me, madam," said he, "to ask you
what benefit it would be to me to be a spirit?"

"Much," replied the fairy, "you would be invisible when you pleased, and
might in an instant traverse the whole earth; you would be able to fly
without wings, to descend into the abyss of the earth without dying,
and walk at the bottom of the sea without being drowned; nor doors, nor
windows, though fast shut and locked, could hinder you from entering
anywhere; and whenever you had a mind, you might resume your natural
form."

"Oh, madam!" cried Leander, "then let me be a spirit; I am going to
travel, and should prefer it above all those other advantages you ha