and I
hope accompanied by some sage admonitions as well as ours."--Then
advancing towards it, "Sure enough, here is the attendant scroll," and
opening it immediately, read aloud:

When mild contentment rules the breast
Unchecked the pleasure, sweet the rest,
The passing hours that close;
No fruitless wish disturbs the maid,
No blasted hopes her peace invade
Who courts the calm repose.

The placid smile, the brow serene,
Unstudied glance, unruffled mien,
Glad approbation gain;
From rankling spleen, and envy free,
The venomed pang of jealousy
Essays to wound in vain.

Fair as the lily's polished hue
Impending fate shall meet her view
Who shuns ambition's lure;
And thus shall gentle Claribel
In tranquil ease serenely dwell
From vain regrets secure.

Well, the fairy promises you fair at least, cousin, said he, and your
lily smells very sweet, and I hope we shall all be very happy together
with our separate gifts!

Fairies had such dexterous, ingenious methods of bringing to pass,
whatever they projected, that it is not necessary to inquire by what
means Adrian soon found himself master of wealth to the utmost extent of
his wishes, or that the plain features and awkward person of Amaranthe
were changed into the most dazzling beauty of countenance, and perfect
symmetry of form. In Claribel the effects of the fairy's power were the
least visible. Her nature had always been so placid, that it could admit
of no great increase of contentment, but she was perfectly at peace with
herself and others, and free from any portion of envy at the riches of
one cousin, or the beauty of the other.

The news was soon circulated through the surrounding country that
the old melancholy castle was now become the scene of affluence and
hospitality. In consequence it was not long before visitors and
petitioners poured in from every quarter. The now superbly furnished
mansion, and magnificent establishment of Adrian, did not prove more
attractive than the charms of his sister, which excited the wonder and
admiration of all beholders. The native modesty of a young person bred
up in seclusion, for some time prevailed over every other sensation, and
she almost repented of the gift she had solicited. She shrunk abashed
from the perpetual and ardent gaze of all who approached her, and the
admiration she had thought so desirable, was at first opp