Page:The Hind in the Wood-1875.djvu/15

Rh who learned each night from the Princess’s officers the progress they were making, urged her mother to execute her plans. So about midday, when the sun’s rays were at their height, she suddenly cut the roof of the coach with a large knife. Then, for the first time, Princess Désirée saw the light of day. She had scarcely looked at it, and heaved a deep sigh, when she sprang from the coach in the form of a White Hind, and bounded off to the forest, where she hid herself in a dark covert.

The Fairy of the Fountain, who had brought about this event, seemed bent on the destruction of the world. Thunder and lightning terrified the boldest, and no one remained but the lady-in-waiting, Longue-épine, and Giroflée, the latter of whom ran after her mistress. The two others lost not a moment in executing their project. Longue-épine dressed herself in Désirée’s richest apparel, and followed by her mother, set forth towards the city, and were met by the King and his son. The King, advancing with all his court, joined the false Princess; but the moment he saw her, he gave a cry, and fell back. “What do I see?” said he. “Sire,” said the lady-in-waiting, boldly advancing, “this is the Princess Désirée, with letters from the King and Queen. I also deliver into your hands the casket of jewels which they gave me on setting out.”

The King heard this in sullen silence, and the Prince, leaning upon Becafigue approached Longue-épine, who was as ugly as Désirée was beautiful.

Struck with astonishment, “I am betrayed,” cried he, addressing himself to the King. “What mean you, my lord?” said Longue-épine; “know that you will never be deceived in marrying me.” The King and Prince did not answer her; they each remounted their litters, one of the body-guards placed the sham Princess behind him, and the lady-in-waiting was similarly treated; they were then carried into the city, and were shut up in a castle.

Prince Guerrier was so overwhelmed by the shock that he could no longer endure the court, and determined to leave it secretly, to seek out some solitary place wherein to pass the remainder of his sad life. He communicated his plan to Becafigue; who, he felt persuaded, would follow him anywhere. He left upon his table a long letter for the King, assuring him that the moment his mind was more at ease he would return.

While everybody endeavoured to console the King, the Prince and Becafigue sped away, and at the end of three days found themselves in a vast forest, where the Prince, who was still ill, dismounted, while Becafigue went to seek for some fruits for their refreshment. It is a long time since we left the Hind in the Wood. The Fairy Tulip felt for her misfortune; and conducted Giroflếe towards the forest, that she might console the Princess. Giroflếe was looking for her dear mistress, when the hind saw her, and leaping a brook, ran up eagerly and caressed her a thousand