Page:The Enchanted Knights; or The Chronicle of the Three Sisters.djvu/55

Rh phenomenon, and found a short hollow column of chrystal rising above the water, and emitting a very odorous perfume, borne by the winds in small clouds of steam over the watery element. The bold swimmer suspected it to be the chimney leading to the sub-aquatic abode of his sister. He hazarded a descent by the spiral column, and found his supposition verified. The chimney led straight to the bed-room of pretty sister Bertha, who, in the most charming of morning dresses, was engaged in preparing her breakfast on a little fire of sandal wood. When the lady heard the noise in the chimney, and all at once saw the legs of a man moving in the fire-grate, her spirits were so shaken, that in her fright she threw her chocolate pot on the ground, and fell fainting in an arm chair. Reginald tried to restore her, and, as soon as she had recovered her senses, she feebly said:—“Whoever you are, unfortunate mortal! how can you dare to enter this sub-aquatic habitation. Is it unknown to you that this daring act may cost you your life?” “Do not fear anything, I am Reginald, your brother, the Wondrous Child, whom neither danger nor death can prevent from seeking his beloved sister, and breaking the spell that keeps her in fetters.” Bertha imprinted a