ashamed; not being able to imagine how he had been made a prisoner without seeing any one. In the meanwhile Abricotine took the opportunity of escaping, although she knew not which way to run. Leander missing her, called three times for Grisdelin, who being in a huny to obey his master, got rid of the two robbers that pursued him with a couple of kicks, fracturing the skull of one, and breaking three ribs of the other. The sprite was now only anxious to rejoin Abricotine; for she had appeared to him very pretty. He wished to be where she was, and instantly found himself in the presence of the girl; who was so very much fatigued that she was clinging to the trees every moment for support. When she saw Grisdelin advancing so gaily, she exclaimed, "Good, good; here is a fine horse that will carry Abricotine back to the Palace of Pleasures!" The sprite heard her plainly enough; but she could not see him. He rode close up to her, Grisdelin stopped, and she jumped up. The sprite caught her in his arms, and placed her gently before him. Oh, what a fright Abricotine was in, to feel herself in the grasp of somebody, and see nobody! She did not dare to move; she shut her eyes, fearing to see some fearful goblin. She uttered not the slightest word. The Prince, who had always the nicest sweetmeats in the world in his pockets, tried to put some in her mouth; but she set her teeth, and kept her lips as close as possible.
At length he took off his little red hat, and said to her, "Why, Abricotine, you are very timid, to be so much afraid of me. It is I who released you from the hands of the robbers." She opened her eyes and recognised him. "Ah! my lord," said she, "I am greatly indebted to you. It is true, I was much alarmed to find myself in the power of an invisible being." "I am not an invisible being," replied he, "but, perhaps, your sight was troubled at the moment, and you did not observe me." Abricotine believed that it must nave been so, though she was naturally shrewd enough. After having chatted for some time on indifferent subjects, Leander begged she would tell him her age, her country, and by what mischance she had fallen into the hands of robbers. "I am under too much obligation to you," said she, "to refuse satisfying your curiosity; but I intreat you, my lord, to consider the speed of our journey of more importance than listening to my story."
