aid, she saw the King pass by with the Fairy of the Desert, who, having taxed the magic power she was so skilled in, to appear beautiful in the eyes of the young monarch, seemed to those of the Princess the most admirable creature in the world! "How!" she exclaimed, "am I not sufficiently wretched in this inaccessible castle, to which the frightful Yellow Dwarf has transported me? Must the demon of jealousy come to torture me, to complete my misery? Must I learn by this extraordinary occurrence the infidelity of the King of the Gold Mines? He has supposed that once out of sight he was absolved from all the vows that he has made me! But who is this formidable rival, whose fatal beauty surpasses mine?"
Whilst the Princess was thus speaking, the enamoured King was in mortal agony at being so rapidly borne away from the dear object of his affections. If he had not been so fully aware of the power of the Fairy, he would have attempted, at any hazard, to escape from her, either by killing her, or some other means which his love or his courage might have suggested; but what could be done against so powerful a being? Opportunity and stratagem could alone release him from her clutches.
The Fairy had perceived Toute-belle, and sought to discover in the eyes of the King the effect which the sight of his darling had produced in his heart. "No one," said the King, interpreting her glances, "can better than myself furnish you with the information you desire; this unexpected meeting with an unhappy Princess, for whom I entertained a previous attachment, has caused me some little emotion; but you possess so great an ascendency over her in my mind, that I would rather die than be faithless to you." "Ah! Prince," said the Fairy, "may I flatter myself that I have inspired you with sentiments so favourable to me?" "Time will convince you, Madam," he replied; "but if you would persuade me that I have some share in your good graces, you will not refuse me when I ask your protection for Toute-belle." "Do you know what you ask me?" said the Fairy, frowning and looking askance at him. "Would you have me employ my science against the Yellow Dwarf, who is my best friend, and release from his power a proud princess whom I cannot cease to regard as my rival?" The King sighed, without replying.
