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452 an armchair at the head of her bed. She was surprised that her women had suffered a stranger to come so near her, when the old woman said to her, 'We think thy majesty very obstinate in persisting in thy desire to eat of our fruit: but since thy precious life depends upon it, my sisters and I consent to give thee as much as thou canst carry away with thee, as well as what thou mayest eat upon the spot, provided thou wilt give us something in exchange.' 'Ah! my good mother,' exclaimed the Queen; 'speak! I will give you my kingdoms, my heart, my soul! I cannot purchase such fruit at too high a price.' 'We wish,' said the Fairy, 'for the daughter that thou art about to bring into the world. As soon as she is born, we will come and fetch her: she will be brought up amongst us. There are no virtues, no charms, no accomplishments, with which we will not endow her. In a word, she will be our child; we will make her happy: but observe, that thy majesty will see her no more until she be married. If this proposal is agreeable to thee, I will cure thee instantly, and lead thee into our orchard. Notwithstanding that it is night, thou wilt be able to see well enough to pick the fruit thou mayest fancy. If what I have said do not please thee, good night, Queen; I am going to bed.'

Hard as the condition may be which you impose upon me,' replied the Queen, 'I will accept it sooner than die, for I am satisfied I could not live another day, and my infant would therefore perish with me. Cure me, wise Fairy,' continued she, 'and delay not a moment my enjoyment of the privilege you have promised to grant me.'

"The Fairy touched her with a little golden wand, saying, 'Let thy majesty be free from all the ills that confine thee to this bed!' It seemed immediately to the Queen as if some one were divesting her of a heavy and stiff robe which had oppressed her, and that some portions of it clung to her still. This was apparently in the places most affected by her disorder. She sent for all her ladies, and told them, with a smiling countenance, that she was quite well, that she was going to get up, and that at length the gates, so well bolted and barred, of the Fairy Palace, would be opened for her to enter and eat the fine fruit, and take away with her as much as she liked.