Two of
his eyes closed, and Peronnik sang gently. In a moment a third eye shut,
and Peronnik sang on. The lid of a fourth eye dropped heavily, and then
those of the fifth and the sixth. The black man was asleep altogether.

Then, on tiptoe, the idiot crept back to the colt which he led over soft
moss past the black man into the vale of pleasure, a delicious garden
full of fruits that dangled before your mouth, fountains running with
wine, and flowers chanting in soft little voices. Further on, tables
were spread with food, and girls dancing on the grass called to him to
join them.

Peronnik heard, and, scarcely knowing what he did drew the colt into a
slower pace. He sniffed greedily the smell of the dishes, and raised his
head the better to see the dancers. Another instant and he would have
stopped altogether and been lost, like others before him, when suddenly
there came to him like a vision the golden bowl and the diamond lance.
Drawing his whistle from his pocket, he blew it loudly, so as to drown
the sweet sounds about him, and ate what was left of his bread and bacon
to still the craving of the magic fruits. His eyes he fixed steadily on
the ears of the colt, that he might not see the dancers.

In this way he was able to reach the end of the garden, and at length
perceived the castle of Kerglas, with the river between them which had
only one ford. Would the lady be there, as the old man had told him?
Yes, surely that was she, sitting on a rock, in a black satin dress, and
her face the colour of a Moorish woman's. The idiot rode up, and took
off his cap more politely than ever, and asked if she did not wish to
cross the river.

'I was waiting for you to help me do so,' answered she. 'Come near, that
I may get up behind you.'

Peronnik did as she bade him, and by the help of his arm she jumped
nimbly on to the back of the colt.

'Do you know how to kill the magician?' asked the lady, as they were
crossing the ford.

'I thought that, being a magician, he was immortal, and that no one
could kill him,' replied Peronnik.

'Persuade him to taste that apple, and he will die, and if that is not
enough I will touch him with my finger, for I am the plague,' answered
she.

'But if I kill him, how am I to get the golden bowl and the diamond
lance that are hidden in the cellar without a key?' rejoined Peronnik.

'The flower that laughs opens all doors and lightens all darkness,' said
the lady; and as she spoke, the