ed girl for the king of the demons. They
visited cities and villages. In three days they had searched through
three cities and three villages, but every girl that looked on the
magic mirror clouded its surface. Then, discouraged by their failure,
the travellers decided to go back to the palace of the king of the
demons. On their return they felt very tired, and so stopped in a
small village to rest. There they found a most beautiful girl, the
daughter of a poor farmer. It was the very girl desired by the king of
the demons; for, after she had looked on the magic mirror, its surface
remained as clear as before. Then with joyful hearts the Negro and the
prince set out with the lady for the abode of the king of the demons.

On their way, the prince, fascinated by her beauty, fell in love with
the girl. He did not want to give her up to the king of the demons,
and so proposed to the Negro that they take her to his palace. But the
Negro would not consent, for the king of the demons knew all about
their doings, he said. So the prince gave up his plan on condition
that the girl's face be veiled.

When they arrived at the palace, the king of the demons gladly met
them, and said to the prince, "Now you have fulfilled my wish. You may
go back to your palace, and there you will find the diamond apartment
unlocked for you." The sorrowing prince turned his back and left the
palace with heavy heart; for he no longer thought of the treasure of
gold and diamonds, but had his whole soul centred in that beautiful
maiden that he had given up to the king of the demons. He reached
his own palace sad and dejected. Yet, to divert his mind from the
thought of her, he went to the subterranean apartment; and there he
found the last chamber unlocked.

After some hesitation, he went into the apartment. There he found
two veiled figures,--the one in the form of a king with his sceptre
and crown; the other, a maiden. He unveiled the one with the crown,
and was astounded to find the very same king of the demons. "Prince,
unveil that figure," said the king of the demons to him. The young
king did so, and to his great joy saw the beautiful maiden he had
lost his heart to. At once his sadness disappeared. Then the king
of the demons said to the prince, "Young king, since on your way to
my palace you fell in love with this maiden, I deem it fit that you
should have her for your companion; but do not expect the diamond
column any more." Then the king o