Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/570

512. The people who loved Fortuné had already given her her liberty. They ran to announce this wonderful news to the King, who had abandoned himself to the deepest grief. Joy now took the place of sorrow; he ran into the square, and was delighted to perceive Fortuné's transformation.

The last sighs of the Queen somewhat subdued his raptures, but when he reflected upon her malice he could not regret her. He resolved to marry Belle-belle, to repay her for the great obligations he was under to her, and declared his intentions to her. It is easy to believe she was at the height of her wishes, not so much for the sake of the crown as for the sake of so worthy a monarch, and one for whom she had so long entertained the greatest affection.

The day being fixed for celebrating the King's marriage, Belle-belle reassumed her female attire, and appeared a thousand times more charming than in the garb of the Chevalier. She consulted her horse, as to her future adventures, and he promised her nothing but what would be agreeable; and in gratitude for all the good services he had done her, she had a stable built for him of ebony and ivory, and there was nothing meaner than a satin mattrass for him to lie down on. As for her seven followers, they were rewarded in proportion to their services. Comrade, however, disappeared; they came and told Belle-belle. This loss distressed the Queen, for she adored him; she ordered her horse to be sought for in every direction, which they did in vain for three whole days; the fourth day she was so uneasy, she was obliged to rise before it was light. She descended into the garden, traversed the wood, and entered a large meadow, calling, from time to time, "Comrade! my dear Comrade! what has become of you?—have you deserted me? I still require your sage advice; come back, come back, and give it me!" As she thus spoke, she suddenly perceived a second sun rising in the west, she stopped to admire this prodigy; her astonishment was without bounds to see it advancing towards her by degrees, and in the course of a few minutes, to recognise her horse, whose trappings were all covered with jewels, and who pranced before a chariot of pearls and topazes, which was drawn by twenty-four sheep; their wool was of gold thread and purl, exceedingly brilliant; their traces were of crimson