Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/104

 a collation, the mere sight of which was enough to create an appetite in the least hungry.

The Princess stood for a while in mute amazement, hardly trusting her eyes at first, and then uncertain whether to advance into the charmed circle or to fly. But she was a true daughter of Eve, and could not long withstand the eager curiosity that seized her to examine more closely the wonders of the place, and to taste the exquisite fruits and confections she caught sight of through the open portals, and which she instinctively felt were destined for her. She accordingly ventured in, followed by the no less astonished maidens; and, after they had all thoroughly satisfied the senses of sight and taste, the Princess fancied she should like to try the new bath that had been prepared for her. She accordingly proceeded to undress for that purpose, having first stationed two of her attendants at the trelliced entrance, to take care that no prying eye of passing huntsman, or cotter or courtier, should intrude upon her privacy.

Scarcely, however, had the beauteous nymph passed over the polished brink of the bath ere she felt herself sinking down, down to a depthless deep, though just before, the silver sand which shone through the placid waves seemed to lay but some two or three feet beneath their surface, giving no indication whatsoever of danger. Before any one of the attendants, who rushed up on hearing her cries, could catch hold