were tried on and admired,
the imitation Brunhilda knew so well how to behave herself, and showed
so much taste that nobody would ever have suspected that she was
nothing but a turnip after all. The gnome, who had secretly been
keeping an eye upon them, was very pleased with himself for having so
well understood the heart of a woman; and the princess seemed to him
even more charming than before. She did not forget to touch the rest
of the roots with her magic wand, and soon had all her maidens about
her, and even, as she had two tiny radishes to spare, her favourite
cat, and her little dog whose name was Beni.

And now all went cheerfully in the castle. The princess gave to each
of the maidens her task, and never was mistress better served. For a
whole week she enjoyed the delight of her pleasant company
undisturbed. They all sang, they danced, they played from morning to
night; only the princess noticed that day by day the fresh young faces
of her maidens grew pale and wan, and the mirror in the great marble
hall showed her that she alone still kept her rosy bloom, while
Brunhilda and the rest faded visibly. They assured her that all was
well with them; but, nevertheless, they continued to waste away, and
day by day it became harder to them to take part in the games of the
princess, till at last, one fine morning, when the princess started
from bed and hastened out to join her gay playfellows, she shuddered
and started back at the sight of a group of shrivelled crones, with
bent backs and trembling limbs, who supported their tottering steps
with staves and crutches, and coughed dismally. A little nearer to the
hearth lay the once frolicsome Beni, with all four feet stretched
stiffly out, while the sleek cat seemed too weak to raise his head
from his velvet cushion.

The horrified princess fled to the door to escape from the sight of
this mournful company, and called loudly for the gnome, who appeared
at once, humbly anxious to do her bidding.

'Malicious Sprite,' she cried, 'why do you begrudge me my
playmates--the greatest delight of my lonely hours? Isn't this
solitary life in such a desert bad enough without your turning the
castle into a hospital for the aged? Give my maidens back their youth
and health this very minute, or I will never love you!'

'Sweetest and fairest of damsels,' cried the gnome, 'do not be angry;
everything that is in my power I will do--but do not ask the
impossible. So long as the sap wa