Page:The Enchanted Knights; or The Chronicle of the Three Sisters.djvu/74

62 the forest, at whose head, Hildegarde instantly recognized her brothers, and Reginald his sisters.

The spell of the enchantment was broken.

The mutual embraces and pledges of joy and happiness over, the whole assembly of the disenchanted left the frightful solitude, and hastened to the old hunting castle. Messengers on horseback were galloping towards the residence of the count to announce the arrival of the long lost children. The court had just gone into mourning on account of the young heir, who was bewailed as dead, the parents believing that the enchanted forest had engulphed him for ever. The sorrowing mother had no other consolation than to assist at the mourning ceremonies, which then commenced with the requiem for Reginald. The famous Nicolini could not more quickly transform his pantomimic scene, than the residence of the count changed its aspect upon the rejoicing news; all now breathed anew with joy and life. In a few days the venerable parents had the fecility of embracing their children and grandchildren.. Adelaide’s egg, had in the meantime, metamorphosed into a beautiful girl, who stretched her little hands towards her grandfather, and when taken by him did not forget to pull and dishevel his silvery curls. Among all the