Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/134

102 to his breathing; she could not tear herself away from him. One moment she was in raptures at having found him; the next she was alarmed at the consequences. Just as she was most earnestly gazing upon him, the Fairy, her mother, entered with such a tremendous noise that Leander awoke, and started to his feet. What was his surprise and affliction at seeing his Princess in the depths of despair! Her mother was dragging her away, and loading her with reproaches. Oh, what misery for these young lovers! They saw themselves on the point of being separated for ever. The Princess dared not say a word to the furious Fairy, she looked only at Leander, as if to implore his assistance.

He knew well that it was not possible for him to release her from the grasp of so powerful a person; but he sought, by eloquence and by submission, to touch the heart of the irritated mother. He ran after her, threw himself at her feet, implored her to have pity on a young king whose love for her daughter was unchangeable, and whose greatest felicity would consist in rendering her happy. The Princess, encouraged by his example, embraced her mother's knees, and declared to her, that without the king she could never be happy, and that she was under the greatest obligations to him. "You know not the degradation of love," cried the Fairy, "and the treachery of which these gay deceivers are capable. They captivate but to poison us. I have too dearly proved it! Would you incur a destiny like mine?" "Ah, Madam!" exclaimed the Princess, "is there no exception? The assurances which the king gives you, and which seem so sincere, do they not satisfy you that I may safely trust him?" The obstinate Fairy allowed them to sigh at her feet. In vain her hands were bathed with their tears; she appeared impenetrable; and no doubt would never have forgiven them, if the amiable Fairy, Gentille, had not appeared in the chamber more brilliant than the sun. The Graces accompanied her, and she was followed by a troop of Loves, Sports, and Pleasures, who warbled a thousand new and charming songs, and frolicked about like children.

Gentille embraced the old Fairy. "My dear sister," said she, "I am sure you have not forgotten the good service I rendered you when you desired to return to our kingdom. Without my assistance you would never have been received