the castle as never were known before or since. The
wedding took place all over again, much finer than the first, with
festivals and banquets and merrymakings for days and weeks. No bride
was ever so beloved by a King and Queen as this peasant maid from the
shepherd's cottage. There was no end to their love and their kindness
towards her: because, by her sense and her calmness and her courage,
she had saved their son, _Prince Lindworm_.

THE LASSIE AND HER GODMOTHER

Once on a time a poor couple lived far, far away in a great wood. The
wife was brought to bed, and had a pretty girl, but they were so poor
they did not know how to get the babe christened, for they had no
money to pay the parson's fees. So one day the father went out to see
if he could find any one who was willing to stand for the child and
pay the fees; but though he walked about the whole day from one house
to another, and though all said they were willing enough to stand, no
one thought himself bound to pay the fees. Now, when he was going
home again, a lovely lady met him, dressed so fine, and she looked so
thoroughly good and kind; she offered to get the babe christened, but
after that, she said, she must keep it for her own. The husband
answered, he must first ask his wife what she wished to do; but when
he got home and told his story, the wife said, right out, "No!"

Next day the man went out again, but no one would stand if they had to
pay the fees; and though he begged and prayed, he could get no help.
And again as he went home, towards evening the same lovely lady met
him, who looked so sweet and good, and she made him the same offer. So
he told his wife again how he had fared, and this time she said, if he
couldn't get any one to stand for his babe next day, they must just
let the lady have her way, since she seemed so kind and good.

The third day, the man went about, but he couldn't get any one to
stand; and so when, towards evening, he met the kind lady again, he
gave his word she should have the babe if she would only get it
christened at the font. So next morning she came to the place where
the man lived, followed by two men to stand godfathers, took the babe
and carried it to church, and there it was christened. After that she
took it to her own house, and there the little girl lived with her
several years, and her _Foster-mother_ was always kind and friendly to
her.

Now, when the _Lassie_ had grown to be big enough to know r