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292 know not the object of the infernal Fairy who brought me hither; for, although she deprived me of sight when she bore me off, and has not appeared to me since, I know from the tone of her voice that it was the Fairy of the Desert." "Ah, my Lord," exclaimed the false nymph, "if you are in the power of that woman you will not escape without marrying her. She has served more than one hero this trick, and of all persons in the world, she is the most obstinate when she sets her mind upon anything." Whilst she thus pretended to take great interest in the King's affliction, he caught sight of the nymph's feet, which were like those of a griffin. The Fairy of the Desert was always recognised by this peculiarity, which in all her metamorphoses remained unchanged.

The King took no notice of it, and continuing to talk to her as in perfect confidence, "I do not," said he, "entertain any dislike to the Fairy of the Desert, but I cannot endure that she should protect the Yellow Dwarf and keep me in chains like a criminal. What have I done to offend her? I admired a charming princess; but if the Fairy restores me to liberty, I feel that gratitude will induce me to love no one but her." "Do you say that sincerely," asked the deceived nymph. "Doubt it not," replied the King. "I am unacquainted with the art of dissimulation; and I confess to you that my vanity would be more flattered by the regard of a Fairy than by that of a simple Princess; but were I dying for love of her, I would evince nothing but hatred to her, until I had regained my liberty."

The Fairy of the Desert, deceived by these words, resolved to transport the King to a spot which was as beautiful as the cavern he now inhabited was horrible. So compelling him to enter her chariot, to which she had now harnessed swans instead of the bats which usually drew it, she fled with the King of the Gold Mines from one pole to the other.

But what was the Prince's emotion, whilst thus travelling through the boundless regions of air, at beholding his dear Princess in a castle all of steel, the walls of which, reflecting the rays of the sun, became like burning-glasses, and scorched to death all who ventured to approach it. She was reclining in a bower beside a streamlet. One of her hands was beneath her head, and with the other she appeared to be wiping away her tears. As she lifted her eyes to heaven, imploring its