Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/111

Rh present. He saw the father and mother of this beautiful girl, who in whispers scolded her for the disinclination she manifested, and then returned to their places. The Sprite glided behind the mother, and said in her ear,—"As thou dost constrain thy child to give her hand to this old baboon, assure thyself that within a week thou shalt be punished by death." The woman, terrified at hearing a voice and seeing no one, and still more so by the threat it uttered, gave a loud shriek, and fell on the floor. Her husband asked what was the matter with her. She explained that she should be a dead woman if her daughter's marriage took place, and that she would not consent to the match for all the treasures in the world. The husband was inclined to laugh at her, and treat her as a dreamer; but the Sprite approached him, and said, "Incredulous old man, if thou dost not believe thy wife, it will cost thee thy life. Break off this match, and give thy daughter immediately to him she loves." These words produced an astonishing effect. The intended bridegroom was abruptly bowed out, on the excuse that they broke off the match solely in obedience to commands from heaven. He doubted, and attempted some chicanery, for he was a Normandy man; but the Sprite shouted such a terrible "Aha!" in his ear, that it almost deafened him; and, to settle the matter, trod on his gouty feet hard enough to crush them. So they ran to seek out the lover in the wood. The Sprite awaited his coming with great impatience,—his young mistress alone could feel more. The lovers were ready to die with joy. The banquet which had been prepared for the old man's nuptials, served for those of this happy pair; and the Sprite, resuming his visible form, appeared suddenly at the hall-door, like a stranger who had been attracted by the sounds of festivity. As soon as the bridegroom perceived him, he ran and flung himself at his feet, calling him by every name his gratitude could suggest. Leander passed two days in their castle, and might have remained there if he had chosen, for they offered him all they were worth in the world. He left such good company with much regret.