The Third Miss St Quentin

, strong,

r the mag

d the woof

d Wo

children remembered that, and yet it w

were fully opened there was more to be seen. In the first place, at the opposite corner, was a second window exactly like the other,

l the white-haired lady an "old" lady or not, I really do not know. No doubt she was old, as we count old, but yet, except for her hair, she did not look so. She was very small, and she was dressed entirely in white, and her hands were the prettiest little things you ever saw. But as she did not look up, Hugh and J

Hugh a li

her?" she whispere

cats lifted t

oking at Jeanne reproachful

led right round and l

"I don't care. It's not our fault. They said sh

soft voice suddenly. "And 'don't care;' someth

w themselves on the ground, a

ion! And who said 'don't care'? Oh dear! oh d

blue, softer and dreamier than Hugh's, and her mouth, even while it smiled, had a rather sad look. But the look of her whole face was very-I can't find a very goo

she said. "Don't be silly; it's

ied as if they had not been at all put about, and Jeanne glanced at Hu

ked over the cats

she said; "the thre

of asking. Evidently the white lady was of the same opinion as the cats as to the rude

e first to pi

de, but I am so thirsty. It's with flying,

can give you anything you want. It has all been r

ease," sa

looked at

returned, carrying between them a white china tray, on which were two cups of beautiful rich-looking milk. They handed them to the childr

miled at t

said, "are

out the milk that Hugh

ut we really don't understand wh

to do but to listen. Isn't that what you c

it is to be supposed rather than surprise-f

t once. "Is that what y

you to tell you how long, by your counting, I have been up here at my spinning. I spin the round of the clock at this window, then I turn my wheel-to get the light, you see-and spin the round again at the other. If you

etimes the threads get twisted again when you have to send them do

tear and soil them, and then of course they are no longer pretty. But listen now. What will you have? The first in t

said both ch

ees," said the lady. "Shut your eyes and listen. That is all

PINNING

and pleasant it was to the touch. A half-sleepy feeling came over them; they shut their eyes and did not feel inclined to open them again. But they did not really go to sleep; the fairy lady began t

children,

eanne, rather testily. "Yo

gh; "you'll stop the st

d the voice again. And

ild of her parents, who thought nothing too rare or too good for her. At her birth all the fairies had given her valuable gifts-no evil wishes had been breathed o

aid. 'If she uses them well, they and thes

olden balls, at which, as soon as the little creature saw them, s

or stain them. And all through her babyhood and childhood, and on into her girlhood, they were the Princess's favourite toy. They were never away from her, and by the time she had grown to be a tall and beautiful girl, with constant practice she had learnt to catch them as cleverly as an Indian juggler. She co

to see her love for the magic gift, and every one about the palace was forbidden to laugh at her, or to

ey had not been forbidden to do so. And she was so kind-hearted and merry, that if ever in her rambles she met any little children who stared at her balls with wondering eyes, she would make her l

look anxious and grave, and messengers often came in haste to see him from far-off parts of his kingdom. And once or twice she overheard words dropped which she could not understand, except that it was evident some misfortune was at hand. But in their desire to save their daught

pon a young girl half hidden among the shrubs, crying bitterly. The Princess stopped at once to ask

ot. You are good and kind, and I do not blame you for

was all sh

as the Princess, and the Princess, after speaking to h

of the gardener, are

my grandmother. They only sent for me yesterday to come home-and-and-oh, I was to ha

t into fresh weeping, but no

g with her balls the Princess ran on faster-came up to where the two young girls were tal

Princess?' she asked eagerly. 'It

ried next week, and then she weeps. I wish I knew what her sorrow is, for, perhaps, I could be of use to her. I would give her all my money if it would do her any good,' and th

g and queen's desire, encouraged her to be kind and sympathising to those in trouble, and to do all she could to console them. But as she had also been taught to be very obedient, she made no remonst

n confusion. At last one replied that the queen had not been pleased with the dress and had sent it away, but that a still more beautiful one trimmed with gold should be ready by that evening. The Princess was perplexed; she was not so silly as to care about the dress, but it seemed to her very strange that her mother should not admire what she had thought so lovely a robe. But still more surprised was she at a message which was brought to her, as soon as she was dressed, from the king and queen, desiring her to remain in her own rooms the whole of that day with

no longer a child. Some misfortune is threatening us, I feel, and it is concealed from me,

thinking deeply to herself about the mystery. And towards the middle of the day sounds of excitement reached her from the court

ay?' she asked her ladies. 'An

ly shook their hea

o terrible misfortune at hand, for if so there would not be the signs of rejoicing she observed as she passed through the palace. And never had her parents been more tender and loving. They seemed to look at her as if neve

safely passed. But this happiness did not last long; about three days later, again a messenger, dusty and wearied with riding fast and hard, made hi

which seemed to suit her thoughts-some one was crying sadly. The Princess turned to see who it was. This time too it was a young girl about her own age, a girl whom she knew very well by sight, for she wa

r the gate. 'Have the rats eaten any of the little chickens,

ever eaten, and my mother seldom scolds me. My trouble is far worse tha

who just then came up, looked a

you are getting of talking to all these foolish

pretty girl, and I have known her all my life. Some one said she was betrothed to one of my father's huntsmen,

l more violently. 'Ah, yes, it is true!' she said,

hurried her back to the castle, and the Princess-more sure than ever

ge thing happened-her white and golden robe was missing. And all that her at

there is some sad trouble afl

e, that the windows were all closed, so that she could not

lined the sides, and in front, on the steps, the king and queen were standing looking at a strange object. It was an enormous bull: never had the Princess seen such a bull. He was dark brown in colour, and pawed the ground in front of him impatiently, and on his back was seated a young girl whom the Princess gazed at with astonishment. She really thought for a moment it was herself, and that she was dreaming! For the girl was dressed in the Princes

ching her room. She hastily drew the curtains, and sat

r to her father and mother, who, as usual, received her with caresses and every sign of the ten

denly the king entered the room in the greatest trouble, a

ever, tearing up trees by the roots, destroying the people's houses, tramping over their fields, and half killing all the country with terror. What is to be done? The people say they can endure it no l

d, after the first few words, the Princess had heard enough. She started from her seat and came forward. And when he

said, from a country over the sea named 'Norrowa'-and had laid it waste, for though he did not actually kill or devour, he tore down trees, trampled crops, and terrified every one that came in his way, as the king had said. A

im was unbounded. They threatened to rise in revolution unless some means were found of ridding them of their terrible visitor. Then the king called together the wisest of his counsellors, and finding force of no avail, they determined to try cunning. The giving the Princess was not to be thought of, but a pretty girl about her age and size-the gardener's daughter, the same whom the Princess ha

nd and smooth, across rivers and through forests he rushed, said the girl, faster and fast

st it be by this, kin

Then, forgetting her pretended po

that my father gathers the flowers to ad

time shaking the girl roughly, and the last time flinging her off his back. 'Sh

f by himself whither she knew not. And it was not till two days later that the unfortunate gar

ncessantly to the king entreating him to find some means of protecting his unfortunate subjects. And the king and queen