Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/65

 three, and was therefore still in the full bloom of woman’s life. The same condition held good for her husband and the whole enchanted court.

All this the noble pair related to the amiable young knight, as they took a turn in the park, under an arched walk of wild jasmine and honeysuckle interwoven together. The happy day passed but too rapidly amid the varied pageantry and amusement of a gay court gala, and mutual demonstrations of friendship. After dinner there was a drawing-room and cards. Some of the courtiers rambled about the park with the ladies till the trumpet summoned them to supper, which was served up in a gallery lined with looking glasses and illuminated with countless wax lights. They ate, drank, and were merry till near midnight, and according to custom Wulfild took care to fill her pockets, and advised her brother not to forget his. When the dishes were cleared away, Albert seemed to grow uneasy, and whispered something in his wife’s ear. She thereupon took her brother aside, and said to him sorrowfully: “Dearest brother, we must part, for the time of the transformation is just at hand, when all the delights of this palace will disappear. Albert is afflicted about you; he fears for your life, since, were you to await the coming change here, he would not be able to withstand his animal impulse to devour you. Leave this luckless forest, and seek it not again.”