Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/38

Rh and of jasmine rose in the air, while lovely children played about with the most brilliantly painted butterflies. But the swallow flew further and further, and beneath them the country became always more and more beautiful.

On the banks of a lake, amid magnificent acacias, stood a marble palace, built in long-past days. Vines twined themselves round its columns, on which, high above, many swallows’ nests were hanging. Into one of these nests the swallow carried Ellie.

“Here is my home,” said he; “but do you seek out one of the loveliest flowers that grow yonder for your dwelling; then I will carry you thither, and you shall make yourself as comfortable as you please; your every wish shall be readily and cheerfully fulfilled.”

“Oh, that will be delightful indeed!” exclaimed Ellie, and clapped her little hands with joy.

On the ground lay a large white marble pillar, that had fallen down, and was broken in three pieces; but between each fragment