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Rh Toutebelle saw plainly enough that these were plausible reasons, but that there was something else at the bottom of the matter which the Queen studiously concealed from her. Being unable longer to control her anxiety, she resolved to seek out the famous Fairy of the Desert, whose science was so much talked of everywhere. She was also desirous of her advice on the question of marrying or remaining single, for everybody pressed her strongly to choose a husband. She took care to knead the cake herself, which had the power to appease the fury of the lions, and pretending to go to bed early one evening, she went out by a little back staircase, her face covered by a large white veil which came down to her feet; and thus, all alone, took the road to the grotto in which the skilful Fairy resided.

But on arriving at the fatal orange-tree, of which I have already spoken, she found it so covered with fruit and blossoms, that she was seized with an irresistible desire to gather some. She set her basket upon the ground and plucked some oranges, which she ate. When she looked again for her basket and the cake, they had disappeared. She is alarmed, she is distressed, and suddenly she sees beside her the frightful little Dwarf I before described. "What ails you, fair maid? what are you weeping for?" said he. "Alas! who would not weep?" replied she, "I have lost my basket and my cake which were so necessary to insure my safe arrival at the abode of the Desert Fairy."

"Ah! and what would you with her, fair maid?" said the little monkey; "I am her kinsman, her friend, and at least as clever as she is." "The Queen, my mother," replied the Princess, "has lately fallen into an alarming despondency, which causes me to tremble for her life. I fancy I am, perhaps, the cause of it; for she wishes me to marry; and I confess to you that I have not yet seen any one I think worthy of me. It is for this reason I would consult the Fairy." "Don't give yourself that trouble, Princess," said the Dwarf; "I am better fitted than she to enlighten you on such subjects. The Queen, your mother, is sorry that she has promised you in marriage." "The Queen promised me!" cried the Princess, interrupting him. "Oh, you must be mistaken. She would have told me, and I am too much interested in the matter for her to engage me without my