it; but he saw at a distance
a beautiful lady walking all alone. She was elegantly clad, and carried
a white wand, at the top of which sat a peacock of pure gold.

Jack, who was a gallant fellow, went straight up to her, when, with a
bewitching smile, she asked him how he came there. He told her all about
the bean-stalk. The lady answered him by a question, "Do you remember
your father, young man?"

"No, madam; but I am sure there is some mystery about him, for when I
name him to my mother she always begins to weep and will tell me
nothing."

"She dare not," replied the lady, "but I can and will. For know, young
man, that I am a fairy, and was your father's guardian. But fairies are
bound by laws as well as mortals; and by an error of mine I lost my
power for a term of years, so that I was unable to succor your father
when he most needed it, and he died." Here the fairy looked so sorrowful
that Jack's heart warmed to her, and he begged her earnestly to tell him
more.

"I will; only you must promise to obey me in everything, or you will
perish yourself."

Jack was brave, and, besides, his fortunes were so bad they could not
well be worse,--so he promised.

The fairy continued: "Your father, Jack, was a most excellent, amiable,
generous man. He had a good wife, faithful servants, plenty of money;
but he had one misfortune--a false friend. This was a giant, whom he had
succored in misfortune, and who returned his kindness by murdering him
and seizing on all his property; also making your mother take a solemn
oath that she would never tell you anything about your father, or he
would murder both her and you. Then he turned her off with you in her
arms, to wander about the wide world as she might. I could not help her,
as my power only returned on the day you went to sell your cow.

"It was I," added the fairy, "who impelled you to take the beans, who
made the bean-stalk grow, and inspired you with the desire to climb up
it to this strange country; for it is here the wicked giant lives who
was your father's destroyer. It is you who must avenge him, and rid the
world of a monster who never will do anything but evil. I will assist
you. You may lawfully take possession of his house and all his riches,
for everything he has belonged to your father, and is therefore yours.
Now, farewell! Do not let your mother know you are acquainted with your
father's history; this is my command, and if you disobey me you will
suffer fo