Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/149

Rh had not completed her twentieth year; and as the whole truth should be told, I observed that she was constantly looking at Fanfarinet, and he at her. Perhaps Love has played one of his usual pranks on this occasion."

At these words, the queen, who was very hasty, interrupted him: "Take care what you are saying, my Lord Gambille," said she; "know that the princess is not the sort of person to fall in love with Fanfarinet; she has been too well brought up." Upon this, the nurse, who had overheard everything, entered, and flung herself on her knees before the king and queen. "I come," said she, "to confess the whole affair to you. The princess resolved to see Fanfarinet or die. We made a small aperture, through which she saw him enter the city, and she vowed upon the spot that she would never marry any one else."

At these tidings, everybody grieved deeply, and acknowledged that the Lord Chancellor Gambille was a person of great penetration. The queen, exceedingly annoyed, rated the nurse, the foster-sister, the dresser, the cradle-rocker, and the nursery-maid so soundly, that another word would have killed them.

Admiral Chapeau-pointu, interrupting the queen, exclaimed, "Come, let us pursue Fanfarinet! There can be no doubt that jackanapes has carried off our princess." Everybody clapped their hands, and cried, "Let us go!" Off went some to sea; others travelled from kingdom to kingdom, calling the people together by sound of drums and trumpets; and when a crowd had assembled, saying, "Whoever would obtain a beautiful doll, dry and wet sweetmeats, little scissors, a robe of gold stuff, and a handsome satin cap, has only to inform us whither the Princess Printaniere has fled with Fanfarinet." The answer was always, "Pass on; we have not seen them."

Those who sought the princess at sea were more fortunate; for after a considerably long cruise, they perceived one night something blazing in the distance like a great fire. They were afraid to approach it, not knowing what it could be; but all of a sudden this light appeared to stop at the Island of Squirrels; for, in fact, it was the princess and her lover with the great carbuncle which shed this wonderful lustre. They disembarked, and having given the good man who had