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476 who I am; I shall therefore appear to you in my usual form." At the same moment her old woman's skin fell from her, and she appeared so wonderfully beautiful, that she dazzled the eyes of Belle-belle. Her dress was of blue velvet, trimmed with ermine; her hair entwined with pearls, and on her head was a superb crown.

Belle-belle, transported with admiration, threw herself at her feet, testifying by that attitude her respect and unutterable gratitude. The Fairy raised her up, and embraced her affectionately. She told her to put on a suit of green and gold brocade. She obeyed her orders, and mounting her horse, continued her journey, so overwhelmed by all the extraordinary things that had just happened, that she could think of nothing else.

At length she began to ask herself, by what unlooked-for good fortune she could have attracted the kindness of so powerful a fairy, "Because really," said she, "I was not required to recover the sheep, for a simple stroke of her wand would have brought a whole flock back from the antipodes, had it gone there. It was very lucky I was so disposed to oblige her. The trifling service I did her is the cause of all she has done for me; she knew my heart, and approved of my sentiments. Ah! if my father could see me now, so magnificent and so rich, how delighted he would be! but at all events, I shall have the pleasure of sharing with my family the fortune she has given me."

As she finished making these various reflections, she arrived in a fine and very populous city. She drew all eyes upon her; they followed her and surrounded her, and every one cried out, "Was there ever seen a cavalier more handsome, better made, or more beautifully dressed? How gracefully he manages that superb horse?" They saluted him most respectfully, which he returned with a kind and courteous air. As soon as he entered the inn, the governor, who was walking, and had admired him in passing, sent a gentleman to say, that he hoped he would come and take up his lodgings in his castle. The Chevalier Fortuné (for in short we must henceforth speak of Belle-belle as such) replied, that not having the honour of being known by him, he would not take that liberty; that he would go and pay his respects to him, and begged he would give him one of his people, whom he could