uch politeness, "Forgive me, fair lady, for
having offended you without my knowledge or intention. When I arrived
here, after long wanderings, I found this nice place under the tree, and
prepared to camp here for the night. Your arrival interrupted me, and I
remained sitting here, thinking that I should not disturb you if I
looked on quietly."

The maiden answered in the most friendly manner, "Come to our house
to-night. It is better to rest on cushions than on the cold moss."

The young man hesitated for a moment, uncertain whether he ought to
accept her friendly invitation or to decline it. One of the birds in
the tree remarked to the other, "He would be a fool if he did not accept
her offer." Perhaps the maiden did not know the language of birds, for
she added, "Fear nothing, my friend. I have not invited you with any ill
intention, but wish you well with all my heart." The birds responded,
"Go where you are asked, but beware of giving any blood, lest you should
sell your soul."

Then the youth went with her. Not far from the spring they arrived at a
beautiful garden, in which stood a magnificent mansion, which shone in
the moonlight as if the roof and walls were made of gold and silver.
When the youth entered, he passed through very splendid apartments, each
grander than the last; hundreds of tapers were burning in gold
chandeliers, and everywhere diffused a light like that of day. At length
they reached a room where an elegant supper was laid out, and two chairs
stood at the table, one of silver and the other of gold. The maiden sat
down on the golden chair, and invited the youth to take the other.
White-robed damsels served up and removed the dishes, but they spoke no
word, and trod as softly as if on cats' feet. After supper the youth
remained alone with the royal maiden, and they kept up a lively
conversation, till a woman in red garments appeared to remind them that
it was bedtime.

Then the maiden showed the young man to another room, where stood a
silken bed with cushions of down, after which she retired. He thought he
must have gone to heaven with his living body, for he never expected to
find such luxuries on earth. But he could never afterwards tell whether
it was the delusion of dreams or whether he actually heard voices round
his bed crying out words which chilled his heart--"Give no blood!"

Next morning the maiden asked him whether he would not like to stay
here, where the whole week was one long