tiny foot at what the Prince had taken for a block of stone,
but now he saw that it was a huge snail.

'What! I ride a snail!' cried the Prince; 'you are laughing at me, and
beside we should not get there for a year.'

'Oh! well then don't do it,' replied the gazelle, 'I am quite willing to
stay here. The grass is green, and the water clear. But if I were you I
should take the advice that was given me and ride the snail.'

So, though it did not please him at all, the Prince took the gazelle
in his arms, and mounted upon the back of the snail, which glided along
very peaceably, entirely declining to be hurried by frequent blows from
the Prince's heels. In vain did the gazelle represent to him that she
was enjoying herself very much, and that this was the easiest mode
of conveyance she had ever discovered. Prince Vivien was wild with
impatience, and thought that the Green Castle would never be reached.
However, at last, they did get there, and everyone who was in it ran to
see the Prince dismount from his singular steed.

But what was his surprise, when having at her request set the gazelle
gently down upon the steps which led up to the castle, he saw her
suddenly change into a charming Princess, and recognized in her
his pretty cousin Placida, who greeted him with her usual tranquil
sweetness. His delight knew no bounds, and he followed her eagerly up
into the castle, impatient to know what strange events had brought her
there. But after all he had to wait for the Princess's story, for the
inhabitants of the Green Lands, hearing that the Giant was dead, ran to
offer the kingdom to his vanquisher, and Prince Vivien had to listen to
various complimentary harangues, which took a great deal of time, though
he cut them as short as politeness allowed--if not shorter. But at
last he was free to rejoin Placida, who at once began the story of her
adventures.

'After you had gone away,' said she, 'they tried to make me learn how
to govern the kingdom, which wearied me to death, so that I begged and
prayed Lolotte to take me away with her, and this she presently did, but
very reluctantly. However, having been transported to her grotto upon
my favourite couch, I spent several delicious days, soothed by the
soft green light, which was like a beech wood in the spring, and by the
murmuring of bees and the tinkle of falling water. But alas! Lolotte
was forced to go away to a general assembly of the Fairies, and she came
back in gr