Page:Tales of old Lusitania.djvu/106

92 that fastened down the lid, uncovered it, and out flew the imprisoned doves, glad to recover their freedom; but as they did so they clapped their wings against his face, which so startled him that, for the first time in his life, he shuddered! This action of the birds dispelled his enchantment, and the spell under which he had been bound since his birth. That moment he returned to the good widow to thank her for her lucky gift which had been the means of turning the course of his destiny, and he could now return home safely, and be at rest, no longer compelled to be a wanderer all his life.

He married the widow's daughter, who had proposed the gift of doves, and had thus been instrumental in disenchanting him; and returned a wedded man to his native village.

His father rejoiced to have his son back again, no longer a wanderer, and gave him and his bride an affectionate reception; and the happy pair lived to a very old age, surrounded by a numerous family and respected by all their neighbours.

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