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568 death, but to content himself with sending her back to her mother; that she was already resigned to such a fate, and that she would consider that sentence a great mercy.

The King was so thunderstruck he could scarcely breathe. He gazed on the puppies, and observed with astonishment the star which each had in the middle of its forehead, and the different colour of the hair which formed a ring round each of their necks. He sank into a chair, revolving a thousand fancies in his mind, and unable to come to any resolution; but the Queen-Mother pressed him so strongly that at length he pronounced the sentence of banishment upon the innocent Queen. She was immediately placed in a litter with her three dogs, and carried without the least mark of respect to her mothers house, where she arrived all but dead.

The gods had looked with compassion on the barque in which the three princes and the princess had been sent to sea. The Fairy who protected them caused milk instead of rain to fall into their little mouths. They suffered nothing from the terrible storm which had risen so suddenly, for seven days and seven nights they had floated on a sea as smooth as a canal, when they were met by a Corsair. The Captain having been struck, although at a great distance, by the brilliancy of the stars upon their foreheads, boarded the boat, believing it to be full of jewels. He found some, sure enough; but what moved him still more was the beauty of these four wonderful children. The desire to preserve them induced him to alter his course, and make all sail home in order to give them to his wife who had no children, and had long wished for some.

His speedy return alarmed her, for he had sailed on a very long voyage; but she was transported with joy when he placed in her hands so great a treasure. They admired together the wonderful stars, the chains of gold that could not be taken off their necks, and their long ringlets. Much greater was the woman's astonishment when she combed them, for at every instant there rolled out pearls, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds of various sizes and exceedingly fine. She told her husband of it, who was not less surprised than herself.

"I am very tired," said he, "of a Corsair's life, and if the locks of those little children continue to supply us with such treasures, I will give up roaming the seas, for my wealth will be as great as that of our most celebrated captains. The