The Olive Fairy Book

eclared by everyone to be the handsomest of women; and, whispered some, the most ill-natured also. Certainly she could not endure the sight of a pretty

ntented with giving the girl, for a governess, a woman whose temper was as bad as the queen’s own, the cruel step-mother did everything she could think of to spoil the girl’s beauty, and

lt a famous enchantress, called the Mother of Sheaths, because everyone who visited her brought with him a knife, which she thrust into one of the sheaths with which her cavern was lined. However, they obtained little comfort from the witch, who bade them ‘seek their father’

ns should visit the Mother of Sheaths, and that the knives they must take with them should be of pure gold, richly set with precious stones. The witch was so pleased with the beauty of the gifts

ful enough to unlock the collar, and a man good enough to draw the comb fro

lain, ‘how that will help us to brin

ther of Sheaths; and she went into the back o

as they appeared in the presence-chamber the king received them with open arms, for in his heart he had no doubt that his wife was the peerless beauty destined to unfasten the collar. And, indeed, if paint

white skin was thickly covered with yellow paint, and her black hair all hidden by a close-fitting brown cloth cap. Murmurs of indignation rose on all sides, and the ambassadors, who had frequently heard the princess

out and executed, which was done, with great good will, by the attendants. He then further commanded the ladies in waiting to attend his sister to her apartments, and bathe her and dress her in the queen’s most splendid robes, as she had none of her own; and the queen, though gnashing her teeth with anger, for once dared not interfere. More quickly than could have been expected, the princess returned, looking so beautiful that if

e could even turn the key. Finally it was handed to the queen, who managed to open it a little way. Her heart b

, while the lock of the collar yielded directly the princess took hold of the key. Cries of delight rose from the courtie

the sun shining, the prince

and the wolve

he middle of a thick forest. She ran wildly about, calling to her brother to come to her aid; but her cries only attracted the attention of some hungry wolves, who sprung towards her with their jaws gaping and their red tongues hanging out. Falling on her knees, she covered her face with one hand unco

in a broad road, and beheld, approaching her, a flock of sheep driven by two shepherds. She hastened towards them in or

and in good spirits she went her way, till she came to the gates of an old castle. She was just about to e

n another direction, and, tired though she was, something forced the girl to follow him. Thankful indeed was she when he turned a corner and sat down before the door of a tiny palace, which was built on the bank of a river. When she came up he took the

whirlwind had cast him. All was bleak and bare, except a green island which he could only see from the top of a

was no reason to expect that the princess should be in that place

ed one spot than the voice sounded in another direction, and he followed it up and down, till he was suddenly stopped by the sight of a large fish’s skin, which lay stretched on the sand between the sea and the rocks. The thing was so ugly, that he stepped asid

heard the voice that had so charmed him, and beheld the bloody skin lying on the sand, and the bath, now filled with water, in the grotto. Little

s blown by gentle breezes towards the shore. As it came nearer he beheld a maiden, of dazzling loveliness, seated in a shell

s case fell out of his pocket, and at the sight the lady uttered a wild shriek, and, steering her shell round, vanished speedily in the direction of the island. Throwing off his clothes, the prince was preparing to s

eautiful lady. In a transport of fury he raised his hand to fling it into the sea, but the fox sprang on him and held on so tightly to his arm that he could not lift it. At that moment a horseman on the shore let fly an arrow at the fox, with so true an aim that the little creature fell

pers, each one being in the shape of a knife half out of its sheath. Over the bath was a

rs, and as I feel that yours is mine? But, beware, for if you give the sm

ile’s head with snapping jaws advanced towards him. With a mighty effort he managed to remain still, and to gaze steadily at the h

rise that it needed all his strength to draw it from its sheath. And, strange to say, that in proportion as the comb emerged from its sheath the lady’s

have obeyed my order

do,’ cried he; but t

the wife of him who will burn my skin.’ And while he still stood hesitati

here a fire was burning, hardly knowing what he did; but on his w

its on the La

knowing what might next befall, but after a while found that his steps had led him back to the place of the fire. The skin had gone and left no traces, but among the cinders he beheld something shining, which proved to

of the Lady of the Shell that he forgot to say anything about the fox. And it was well that he had forgotten, for wh

ght of it and be scared away as the other animals had been. But, one day, when we were in the garden, the sun happened to shine straight on it, and he sprang towards it with every sign of delight. He was about to seize it between his teeth when it closed with a loud noise. The fox fled away with a piercing scream, and though

and trusted that time might soothe her. He assured her that he would go with her wherever she desired if she

sed him to hasten with all his speed in that direction. He soon perceived a knight on horseback with a bow slung to his back, struggling to lift a woman on to his saddle. The knights’ surpr

egretting that he had not left her to her fate; but she re

rely smitten by that mad archduke from whom you have just saved me! There is no time to pursue him,’ she added, as the prince started at

ths, who took me to rest in that island where the palm trees are waving. There she showed me a lovely princess who, under a spell, was forced daily to take the form of a crocodile, and when the dreaded moment arrived the skin appeared before her, and, shudde

aimed the prince. ‘Wh

s were being tended in the palace with all the care imaginable, I set out to consult a wizard, who told me that I must enter the skiff and seek for the prince and princess of Lombardy, and that if, in twenty-four hours, I could bring them into the prese

rince. ‘We must return and seek

s wounds. Between them they contrived to carry him to the boat, which sailed swiftly towards

boat touched the island; and in silence t

told that death was not far distant. But he knew, somehow, that the princess was near him, and opened his eye

sked the governor of the island sternly. ‘Place the collar you wear ro

she gasped. ‘But I have not got it, I lost it in the forest!’ And t

s lost! The c

ss saves t

‘Here is one that I picked up among some cinders, before that madman shot me — perhaps it may be the one you want, or,

e neck of the fox. All present held their breath as they watched what was happening; and what did happen was that his legs grew longer a

had vanished so mysteriously. His face was so troubled that the governor of the island marked it, and asked what was the matter.

you still possess your comb, you may yet relieve her of them. Ah! that is well,’

what a sight met the prince’s eyes! The lady whom he had last beheld in peerless beauty was sitting in a chair wrapped in flames, which were twisting like ha

‘you brought her to this when you burnt the crocodile’s

pain vanished from the face, and it shrank into its usual size; at the third, she rose from the cha

ssible. And when the wedding was over, Perarthrites and his bride returned to Placenza,

thony Hamilton

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