ed of these reclined the
great Queen herself, who, as soon as she reached the place where
Potentilla sat in rapt attention, stepped majestically on shore and
presented the Princess with that celebrated pearl of which you have
heard so much, saying:

'You are more beautiful than I ever was. Let my example warn you to make
a better use of your beauty!'

And then the little fleet sailed on, until it was lost to view in the
windings of the river. Grumedan was also looking on at the spectacle,
and said very contemptuously:

'I cannot say I think these marionettes amusing. What a to-do to make
over a single pearl! But if you like pearls, madam, why, _I_ will soon
gratify you.'

So saying, he drew a whistle from his pocket, and no sooner had he blown
it than the Princess saw the water of the river bubble and grow muddy,
and in another instant up came hundreds of thousands of great oysters,
who climbed slowly and laboriously towards her and laid at her feet all
the pearls they contained.

'Those are what I call pearls,' cried Grumedan in high glee. And truly
there were enough of them to pave every path in Potentilla's garden and
leave some to spare! The next day Prince Narcissus had prepared for the
Princess's pleasure a charming arbour of leafy branches, with couches of
moss and grassy floor and garlands everywhere, with her name written in
different-coloured blossoms. Here he caused a dainty little banquet to
be set forth, while hidden musicians played softly, and the silvery
fountains splashed down into their marble basins, and when presently the
music stopped a single nightingale broke the stillness with his
delicious chant.

'Ah!' cried the Princess, recognising the voice of one of her
favourites, 'Philomel, my sweet one, who taught you that new song?'

And he answered: 'Love, my Princess.'

Meanwhile the Enchanter was very ill-pleased with the entertainment,
which he declared was dullness itself.

'You don't seem to have any idea in these parts beyond little squeaking
birds!' said he. 'And fancy giving a banquet without so much as an ounce
of plate!'

So the next day, when the Princess went out into her garden, there stood
a summer-house built of solid gold, decorated within and without with
her initials and the Enchanter's combined. And in it was spread an
enormous repast, while the table so glittered with golden cups and
plates, flagons and dishes, candlesticks and a hundred other things
beside, that it wa