Page:Stories from Hans Andersen with illustrations by Edmund Dulac.djvu/125

THE NIGHTINGALE of sanctity round the crown too!—I will come, and I will sing to you!—But you must promise me one thing!'—

'Everything!' said the emperor, who stood there in his imperial robes which he had just put on, and he held the sword heavy with gold upon his heart.

'One thing I ask you! Tell no one that you have a little bird who tells you everything; it will be better so!'

Then the nightingale flew away. The attendants came in to see after their dead emperor, and there he stood, bidding them 'Good morning!' 111