what motive had directed his steps to her palace, and how he had effected his entrance into the park.
"I am your brother," said he, in reply.
"I have no brother that I know of."
"When my father sold you to the great fish in exchange for riches, you had no brother; but I was born a few years after you left, and since I have come to years of discretion I have not ceased to feel anxious respecting your fate and that of my other sisters, and by the help of magic boots of which I am the fortunate possessor I find myself here, and have come to see you, my respected sister."
Great was the queen's joy at seeing a brother of whose existence she had no knowledge until then. She gave him a most affectionate welcome, and asked him to enter the palace with her. But as she entered the grand entrance, she suddenly turned round to him, and looking very sad, said: "You must know that I am the wife of the great king of fishes. Though he loves me and is kind, he is very jealous, and I fear that when he returns home and finds you here he will be very angry and may try to kill you."
"Do not let that trouble you in the least, my good sister, for I am the fortunate possessor of a magic cloak that renders me invisible the moment I put it on, and, therefore, when I wear it I can defy your husband's anger."
