per part in the court ceremonies. Unknown
to the king, or to anybody but Becasigue, he planned that, as soon as he
was able, he would make his escape and pass the rest of his life alone
in some solitary place. It was some weeks before he had regained his
health sufficiently to carry out his design; but finally, one beautiful
starlight night, the two friends stole away, and when the king woke
next morning he found a letter lying by his bed, saying that his son
had gone, he knew not whither. He wept bitter tears at the news, for he
loved the prince dearly; but he felt that perhaps the young man had done
wisely, and he trusted to time and Becasigue's influence to bring the
wanderer home.

And while these things were happening, what had become of the white doe?
Though when she sprang from the carriage she was aware that some unkind
fate had changed her into an animal, yet, till she saw herself in a
stream, she had no idea what it was.

'Is it really, I, Desiree?' she said to herself, weeping. 'What wicked
fairy can have treated me so; and shall I never, never take my own shape
again? My only comfort that, in this great forest, full of lions and
serpents, my life will be a short one.'

Now the fairy Tulip was as much grieved at the sad fate of the princess
as Desiree's own mother could have been if she had known of it. Still,
she could not help feeling that if the king and queen had listened to
her advice the girl would by this time be safely in the walls of her new
home. However, she loved Desiree too much to let her suffer more than
could be helped, and it was she who guided Eglantine to the place where
the white doe was standing, cropping the grass which was her dinner.

At the sound of footsteps the pretty creature lifted her head, and when
she saw her faithful companion approaching she bounded towards her,
and rubbed her head on Eglantine's shoulder. The maid of honour was
surprised; but she was fond of animals, and stroked the white doe
tenderly, speaking gently to her all the while. Suddenly the beautiful
creature lifted her head, and looked up into Eglantine's face, with
tears streaming from her eyes. A thought flashed through her mind, and
quick as lightning the girl flung herself on her knees, and lifting the
animal's feet kissed them one by one. 'My princess! O my dear princess!'
cried she; and again the white doe rubbed her head against her, for
thought the spiteful fairy had taken away her power of speech, sh