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252 even inspire flowers with love." The Princess, trembling and surprised at having heard a cabbage, a hen, and a pink speak, and seen an army of rats, turned pale and fainted.

Bedou came in at the moment: labour and the heat of the sun had put him in such a fever, that when he found Fortunée had come to search for her pinks, and had found them, he dragged her to the door and flung her outside. She had scarcely felt the coldness of the earth, before she opened her beautiful eyes and perceived near her the Queen of the Woods charming and magnificent as usual. "You have a bad brother," she said to Fortunée. "I saw with what inhumanity he threw you out here; would you like me to revenge you?" "No, Madam," answered Fortunée; "I have no feelings of anger, and his bad disposition cannot change mine." "But," rejoined the Queen, "I have a presentiment which assures me that this rough peasant is not your brother; what do you think?" "All appearances persuade me that he is, Madam," replied the Shepherdess modestly, "and I ought to believe them." "What!" continued the Queen, "have you not heard that you were born a princess?" "I have just been told it," she replied; "but how can I venture to boast of that of which I have no proof?"

"Ah! my dear child," replied the Queen, "how I like to see you in this mood; I know now that the mean education you have received has not extinguished the nobility of your blood. Yes, you are a princess, and it has not been in my power to save you from the misfortunes which you have suffered up to this hour." She was here interrupted by the appearance of a youth more beautiful than the day. He was attired in a long robe of gold and green silk, fastened by large buttons of emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. He had a crown of pinks, and his hair covered his shoulders. As soon as he saw the Queen, he bent one knee to the ground and saluted her respectfully. "Ha! my son, my amiable Pink," she said, "the fatal time of your enchantment is over, thanks to the aid of the beautiful Fortunée; what joy to see you!" She pressed him closely to her bosom, and then turning to the Shepherdess, "Charming Princess," she said, "I know all that the Hen told you; but what you do not know is, that the zephyrs whom I had ordered to put my son in your place laid him in a bed of flowers whilst they went