castle, and
I know well you will all rejoice when I am placed in the vault. I am an
old maid, or, if you prefer it, I am a wall-frog, who has nothing to
do but creep into my hole, and, when I have vitality enough, to spit my
venom upon the passers-by. As to my friends, I have nothing to relate;
I have no friends! I hate all mankind, and I am hated by all. I am
especially on my guard with those who pretend to love me; I know that
they are deceitful and traitorous, that they are only actuated by
selfish motives."

"Poor sister," said the king, sadly; "how unhappy must you be to speak
thus! Can I do nothing to alleviate your misfortune?"

Amelia laughed loudly and scornfully. "Forgive me, your majesty, but
your question reminds me of a merry fairy tale I have just read of a
cannibal who is in the act of devouring a young girl. The poor child
pleaded piteously for her life, naturally in vain. 'I cannot, of course,
give you your life,' said the cannibal, 'but I will gladly grant you any
other wish of your heart. Think, then, quickly, of what you most desire,
and be assured I will fulfil your request.' The pretty maiden, trembling
with horror and despair, could not collect her thoughts. Then, after
a short pause, the cannibal said, 'I cannot wait; I am hungry! but in
order to grant you a little longer time to determine upon the favor you
will ask, I will not, as I am accustomed to do, devour the head first,
I will commence with the feet.' So saying, he cut off the legs and
ate them, and on cutting off each limb he graciously asked the poor
shuddering, whimpering being, 'Well, why do you not think? Is there,
then, no favor I can show you?' Confess now, sire, that this was a most
magnanimous cannibal."

Frederick laughed heartily, and appeared not to understand his sister's
double meaning.

"You are right," said he; "that is a merry fairy tale, and brings the
tears to my eyes--I scarcely know whether from laughter or weeping.
Where did you read it, my sister?"

"The fire-spirits who spring up and down in the chimney so lustily,
related it to me. Oh, sire, these are merry sprites; and often in my
solitude, when I am sitting in my arm-chair in the chimney-corner, they
nod to me, and chat freely of by-gone times, and the days which are to
come."

"I fear they have not much that is cheerful or encouraging, certainly
not much that is interesting to tell you," said Frederick.

"To those who, like us, have passed the meridia