Page:The Hind in the Wood-1875.djvu/19

Rh times. Giroflếe looked at it earnestly, and could not doubt that it was her dear Princess. Their tears affected the Fairy Tulip, who suddenly appeared. Giroflếe entreated her to restore Désirếe to her natural form. “I cannot do that,” said Tulip; “but I can shorten her term of punishment; and to soften it, as soon as day gives place to night, she shall quit the form of a hind—but, as soon as it is dawn, she must return to it, and roam the plains and forests like the other animals.”

“Proceed by this path,” continued she, “and you will come to a little hut.” So saying, she disappeared. Giroflếe followed her directions, and found an old woman seated upon the step of the door finishing an osier basket. She led them into a very pretty room, in which were two little beds. As soon as it was quite dark, Désirếe ceased to be a hind; she embraced Giroflée, and promised that she would reward her the moment her penance had ended. The old woman knocked at their door, and gave them some fruit. They then went to bed, and as soon as daylight appeared, Désirée, having become a hind again, plunged into the wood. Meanwhile Becafigue arrived at the cottage and asked the old woman for several things his master wanted. She filled a basket for him, and offered them shelter for the night, which was accepted.

The Prince slept restlessly, and as soon as it was day he arose and went into the forest. After he had walked for some time a hind started off, and he let fly an arrow at her. This hind was no other than Désirée, but her friend Tulip preserved her from being struck. She felt very tired, as such exercise was quite new to her. At last the Prince lost sight of her, and being fatigued himself, gave up the pursuit.

The next day the Prince again went to the forest, determined that the hind should not escape him. He walked about for some time, and, being much heated, he lay down and fell into a sleep; and while he was sleeping the hind came to the spot. She crouched down a little distance from him and touched him, when he awoke. His surprise was great; she ran off with all her might, and he followed her. At length she could run no longer, and the Prince came up to her with delight. He saw she had lost all her strength, so he cut some branches from the trees, covered them with moss, and placing her gently upon the boughs, sat down near her. She became very uneasy, however, as night approached. She was thinking how to escape, when the Prince left her to search for some water. While he was gone she stole away, and safely reached the cottage. The Prince returned as soon as he had found a spring, and sought her everywhere, but in vain; so he returned to the cottage and related to his friend the adventure with the hind, accusing her of ingratitude. Becafigue laughed, and advised him to punish her when he had the chance. Daylight returned, and the Princess resumed her form of the white hind, and