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Rh The delighted peasant at once gave his consent; they sent for the mother, and she, too, gladly bestowed her blessing.

"One favour more," said the beautiful girl to the czar. "Permit my parents and sisters to remain with me."

On hearing this the sisters fell down on their knees before her, and cried,—

"We are not worthy of so much favour!"

"Dearest sisters," said the beautiful girl, "all is forgotten and forgiven. They who remember the past with malice deserve to lose their sight."

She then tried to lift them up from the ground, but they, shedding bitter tears, would not rise. Then the czar, looking at them with a frown, bade them get up; he allowed them, however, to stay in the palace.

A magnificent entertainment then began: the palace was splendidly lighted up, and looked like the sun among the clouds. The czar and czarina rode out in an open chariot and showed themselves to the people, who cried joyfully,—

"Long live czar and czarina! May they shine upon us like the glorious sun for years and years to come!"