s
believed her lover to be true.

Now it chanced that the way to the capital led right past the village
where Helena was, and often when she was leading her cattle forth to the
meadows Prince Fickle rode past her, without ever noticing the poor
herd-girl, so engrossed was he in thoughts of his new bride. Then it
occurred to Helena to put his heart to the test and to see if it weren't
possible to recall herself to him. So one day as Prince Fickle rode by
she said to her little calf:

'Kneel, little calf, kneel;
Be faithful and leal,
Not like Prince Fickle,
Who once on a time
Left his poor Helena
Under the lime.'

When Prince Fickle heard her voice it seemed to him to remind him of
something, but of what he couldn't remember, for he hadn't heard the
words distinctly, as Helena had only spoken them very low and with a
shaky voice. Helena herself had been far too moved to let her see what
impression her words had made on the Prince, and when she looked round
he was already far away. But she noticed how slowly he was riding, and
how deeply sunk he was in thought, so she didn't quite give herself up
as lost.

[Illustration]

In honour of the approaching wedding a feast lasting many nights was to
be given in the capital. Helena placed all her hopes on this, and
determined to go to the feast and there to seek out her bridegroom.

When evening drew near she stole out of the peasant's cottage secretly,
and, going to her hiding-place, she put on her dress embroidered with
the gold suns, and all her jewels, and loosed her beautiful golden hair,
which up to now she had always worn under a kerchief, and, adorned thus,
she set out for the town.

When she entered the ball-room all eyes were turned on her, and everyone
marvelled at her beauty, but no one knew who she was. Prince Fickle,
too, was quite dazzled by the charms of the beautiful maiden, and never
guessed that she had once been his own lady-love. He never left her side
all night, and it was with great difficulty that Helena escaped from him
in the crowd when it was time to return home. Prince Fickle searched for
her everywhere, and longed eagerly for the next night, when the
beautiful lady had promised to come again.

The following evening the fair Helena started early for the feast.

This time she wore her dress embroidered with silver moons, and in her
hair she placed a silver crescent. Prince Fickle was enchanted to see
her again, and she seemed t