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Rh a natural cause, and that she should escape his reproaches: but her project having failed, she had recourse to another expedient.

At the other end of the forest there dwelt a Fairy whose abode was inaccessible, for she was guarded by elephants that unceasingly roamed round the forest, and devoured the poor travellers, their horses, and even the iron the latter were shod with, so insatiable was their appetite. The Queen had come to an agreement with her, that if by some unheard-of chance, any one in the Queen's name should reach the Fairy's palace alive, she would give the messenger something fatal to take back to her.

The Queen sent for Constancia: gave her her orders, and told her to set out immediately. She had heard all her companions talk of the danger there was in passing through that forest; and an old shepherdess had even told her how she had fortunately escaped by the aid of a little sheep she had taken with her, for, furious as the elephants may be, the moment they see a lamb they become as gentle themselves. The same shepherdess had also told her, that being ordered to take a burning girdle back to the Queen, under the apprehension that she would make her put it on, she put it round several trees which were all consumed by it, so that the girdle at last had no power to hurt her, as the Queen had hoped it would.

When the Princess listened to this story she little thought it would be, one day, of such service to her: but when the Queen had issued her commands with so imperative an air that the sentence was evidently irrevocable, she prayed the gods to assist her. She took Ruson with her, and departed for the perilous forest. The Queen was enchanted: "We shall see her no more!" said she to the King. "This odious object of our son's attachment!—I have sent her to a spot where a thousand such as she would not be sufficient to make a quarter of a breakfast for the elephants." The King told her she was too vindictive, and that he could not help regretting the destruction of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. "Indeed!" replied the Queen. "I advise you to fall in love with her then, and weep for her death as the unworthy Constancio does for her absence!"

Constancia had scarcely entered the forest when she saw