Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/110

 ceived by the apparition of a vain phantom. None the less, however, did she surrender herself to the most heartfelt delight, and immediately commenced promenading the gardens with this beloved companion, pointing out to her admiration all their beauties in detail, and gathering some of the finest of the golden apples for her. She then led her through all the apartments of the palace, large and small, until they came to the dressing room, where they found so much to amuse them that they remained in it till sun-set. Robes, veils, girdles, jewels, were passed over and over again in review by this feminine committee, tried on, and criticised. The fictitious Brinhilda played her part to admiration, and showed so much taste, so much tact, so profound an erudition in costume and trinkets, that though, in truth, she was nothing but a turnip, everybody must have deemed her the very pink and pearl of handmaidens.

The gnome, who stood by invisible, intently watching the pair, was excessively delighted and vain-glorious at the success of his scheme; although a mere tyro in the study of human nature, he already began to deem himself very far advanced in the knowledge of the fair sex. Never had Emma appeared to him so lovely, so gracious, so tender, so every way fascinating, as at that moment. She, meantime, lost no time, in animating, by the aid of her magic wand, the whole stock of turnips contained