te transparent. Coral, jasper, agates, and cornelians adorned the
rooms of state, and the presence-chamber was one entire mirror. The
throne was one great pearl, hollowed like a shell; the princess sat,
surrounded by her maidens, none of whom could compare with herself. In
her was all the innocent sweetness of youth, joined to the dignity of
maturity; in truth, she was perfection; and so thought the invisible
Leander.

Not seeing Abricotina, she asked where she was. Upon that, Leander,
being very desirous to speak, assumed the tone of a parrot, for there
were many in the room, and addressed himself invisibly to the princess.

"Most charming princess," said he, "Abricotina will return immediately.
She was in great danger of being carried away from this place but for a
young prince who rescued her."

The princess was surprised at the parrot, his answer was so extremely
pertinent.

"You are very rude, little parrot," said the princess; "and Abricotina,
when she comes, shall chastise you for it."

"I shall not be chastised," answered Leander, still counterfeiting the
parrot's voice; "moreover, she will let you know the great desire that
stranger had to be admitted into this palace, that he might convince
you of the falsehood of those ideas which you have conceived against his
sex."

"In truth, pretty parrot," cried the princess, "it is a pity you are not
every day so diverting; I should love you dearly."

"Ah! if prattling will please you, princess," replied Leander, "I will
prate from morning till night."

"But," continued the princess, "how shall I be sure my parrot is not a
sorcerer?"

"He is more in love than any sorcerer can be," replied the prince.

At this moment Abricotina entered the room, and falling at her lovely
mistress' feet, gave her a full account of what had befallen her, and
described the prince in the most glowing colors.

"I should have hated all men," added she, "had I not seen him! Oh,
madam, how charming he is! His air and all his behavior have something
in them so noble; and though whatever he spoke was infinitely pleasing,
yet I think I did well in not bringing him hither."

To this the princess said nothing, but she asked Abricotina a hundred
other questions concerning the prince; whether she knew his name, his
country, his birth, from whence he came, and whither he was going; and
after this she fell into a profound thoughtfulness.

Leander observed everything, and continued to chat