a, a
beautiful girl, and as good as she was beautiful. It was a terrible
blow to the king. He offered all his gold, precious stones, glittering
diamonds, and emeralds, and half his kingdom, if the people would
consent to her exemption, which they wouldn't do. He had made the
edict; they had given their children; he must give his daughter. Being
king, he thought he could take somebody else's daughter. That made the
people angry, and they threatened to kill him. Then the princess
showed how good and noble and true she was. She said she would die
rather than there should be any trouble. It was a sad morning when she
bade her father and mother and all her friends good-by, and went out
from the city, all the people weeping to see her in her youth and
beauty, so calm, peaceful, and resigned, walking in the green field,
waiting for the dragon. They saw the monster crawl towards her. Just
then they beheld a young man with a shining shield and waving plume,
on horseback, with sword and lance, approaching. It was George of
Cappadocia, a brave Christian youth. 'Fly! fly!' shouted the princess.
'Why should I fly?' he asked. 'Do you not see the dragon? He will eat
you as he will me.' 'I am not afraid of him, and I will deliver you,'
said he, rushing upon the dragon with his lance. It was a terrible
fight. The monster hissing, running out his tongue, snapping his jaws,
striking with his tail and sharp claws; but the brave George kept up
the fight, striking his lance through the thick hide and shiny scales,
and pinning the writhing creature to the earth. 'It is not by my own
might, but God, through Jesus Christ, who has given me the power to
subdue this Apollyon,' he said. At that, the whole city accepted the
Christian religion. In recognition of the victory he put the sign of
the letter X, representing the cross, upon his flag. The king was so
pleased that, besides becoming a Christian, he offered George all his
gold and silver and diamonds and precious stones; but the prince would
not keep them; he gave them to the poor."

"It is indeed a beautiful story," said Robert, charmed by the
narration.

"I suppose the legend represents the conflict between wickedness and
righteousness," added Miss Newville.

"Did George become the son-in-law of the king?" Robert asked.

Miss Newville laughed heartily.

"If it were a story in a novel," she said, "of course that would be
the outcome of the romance. No; he went on his travels converting