broke the third egg. Out
of it came a chariot of polished steel, inlaid with gold, drawn by six
green mice, the coachman being a rose-coloured rat, and the postilion
a grey one. Inside the carriage sat little puppets, who behaved
themselves just like live ladies and gentlemen.

When Troutina went to walk in the palace garden, Florina awaited her
in a green alley, and made the mice gallop, and the ladies and
gentlemen bow, till the princess was delighted, and ready to buy the
curiosity at any price. Again Florina exacted permission to pass the
night in the Chamber of Echoes; and again the king, undisturbed by her
lamentation, slept without waking till dawn.

The third day, one of the palace valets, passing her by, said, "You
stupid peasant-girl, it is well the king takes opium every night, or
you would disturb him by that terrible sobbing of yours."

"Does he so?" said the queen, now comprehending all. "Then if you will
promise to-night to keep the opium cup out of his way, these pearls
and diamonds," and she took a handful of them from her sack, "shall
assuredly be yours."

The valet promised; and then Florina broke her fourth egg, out of
which came a pie composed of birds, which, though they had been
plucked, baked, and made ready for the table, sang as beautifully as
birds that are alive. Troutina, charmed with this marvellous novelty,
bought it at the same price as the rest, adding generously a small
piece of gold.

When all the palace were asleep, Florina for the last time, hoping
King Charming would hear her, called upon him with all sorts of tender
expressions, reminding him of their former vows, and their two years
of happiness. "What have I done to thee, that thou shouldst forget me
and marry Troutina?" sobbed she; and the king, who this time was wide
awake, heard her. He could not make out whose voice it was, or whence
it came, but it somehow reminded him of his dearest Florina, whom he
had never ceased to love. He called his valet, inquired who was
sleeping in the Chamber of Echoes, and heard that it was the little
peasant-girl who had sold to Troutina the emerald bracelet. Then he
rose up, dressed himself hastily, and went in search of her. She was
sitting mournfully on the floor, with her hair hiding her face, and
her eyes swollen with tears; but he knew at once his faithful Florina.
He fell on his knees before her covered her hands with kisses, and
they embraced and wept together. For what was the goo