under the water and disported themselves for a
time, then came ashore and putting on the little white garments, they
became beautiful maidens, and disappeared. But there was one little
duck, that remained on the lake and swam about in the most distracted
manner, uttering piteous cries. The Prince came from behind the bush
and the little duck begged him to give back her garment. He had no
sooner done so than before him stood the loveliest maiden he had ever
seen.

"Thank you, Prince Milan, for restoring my garment," said she. "My
name is Hyacinthia, and I am one of the thirty daughters of a King
of the Underworld, to whose castle I will lead you, for he has waited
long for you. Approach him on your knees and do not fear him, for I
will be there to help you, whatever happens."

She tapped her little foot on the ground, which opened; and they were
immediately transported to the palace of her father in the Underworld,
which was carved from a single carbuncle. When his eyes became
accustomed to the radiant light, the Prince saw the magician of the
lime-tree sitting on a dazzling throne. His green eyes looked out from
under a golden crown, and his hideous claws clutched the air with
rage when he saw the Prince. Remembering what the maiden had told him,
Prince Milan walked boldly up to the throne and knelt at the feet of
the magician, who cursed in a voice that shook the Underworld. As
the youth was not at all frightened, the magician at last stopped
swearing. Laughing at his courage, he welcomed him to his palace,
and showed him to a beautiful chamber which he was to occupy. On the
following day he sent for him and said;

"You are very brave, Prince Milan, but you must pay the penalty for
keeping me waiting so long for you. To-night build me a palace of gold
and marble, with windows of crystal, and about it the most beautiful
gardens in the world, or tomorrow I shall cut off your head."

The Prince went back to his chamber and sadly awaited his doom. That
evening a small bee flew in through his window, and as soon as it
entered the room it became Hyacinthia. "Why are you sad, Prince
Milan?" she asked. He told her of her father's impossible command and
added, "Naturally, I am not happy at the thought of losing my head."

"Do not be distressed about that," said she, "but trust to me." In the
morning he looked out of the window and saw a wonderful marble palace,
with a roof of gold.

When the magician beheld it, he exclai