he servant
girls of her own home (for the witch had disguised herself as one of her
father's servants). "O my dear Ermellina," she said, "your father is
shedding tears of sorrow for you, because he really believed you were
dead, but the eagle which carried you off came and told him the good
news that you were here with the fairies. Meanwhile your father, not
knowing what civility to show you, for he understands very well that you
are in need of nothing, has thought to send you this little basket of
sweetmeats." Ermellina had not yet opened the door; the servant begged
her to come down and take the basket and the letter, but she said: "No,
I wish nothing!" but finally, since women, and especially young girls,
are fond of sweetmeats, she descended and opened the door. When the
witch had given her the basket, she said: "Eat this," and broke off for
her a piece of the sweetmeats which she had poisoned. When Ermellina
took the first mouthful the old woman disappeared. Ermellina had
scarcely time to close the door, when she fell down on the stairs.

When the fairies returned they knocked at the door, but no one opened it
for them; then they perceived that there had been some treachery, and
began to weep. Then the chief of the fairies said: "We must break open
the door," and so they did, and saw Ermellina dead on the stairs. Her
other friends who loved her so dearly begged the chief of the fairies to
bring her to life, but she would not, "for," said she, "she has
disobeyed me;" but one and the other asked her until she consented; she
opened Ermellina's mouth, took out a piece of the sweetmeat which she
had not yet swallowed, raised her up, and Ermellina came to life again.

We can imagine what a pleasure it was for her friends; but the chief of
the fairies reproved her for her disobedience, and she promised not to
do so again.

Once more the fairies were obliged to depart. Their chief said:
"Remember, Ermellina: the first time I cured you, but the second I will
have nothing to do with you." Ermellina said they need not worry, that
she would not open to any one. But it was not so; for the eagle,
thinking to increase her stepmother's anger, told her again that
Ermellina was alive. The stepmother denied it all to the eagle, but she
summoned anew the witch, and told her that her stepdaughter was still
alive, saying: "Either you will really kill her, or I will be avenged on
you." The old woman, finding herself caught, told her to