The Green Fairy Book

lace, with the most delightful garden you can imagine, full of flowers, and trees, and fountains, and fish-ponds, and everything nice. For the Fairy herself was so kind a

she was at once original and gentle, and she had nearly reached the age at which the gifts were generally bestowed. However, the Fairy had a great wish to know how the other princesses who had grown up and left her, were prospering, and before the time came for Sylvia to go herself, she resolved to send her to some o

he two months were over she stepped joyfully into the butterfly chariot, and could not get back

, ‘tell me what impres

peared to think that she was doing all that could possibly be required of her. But, unfortunately, while I was still with her she became seriously ill, and though she presently recovered, her beauty is entirely gone, so that she hates the very sight of herself, and is in despair. She entreated me to tell you what had happened, and to beg you, in pity, to give her beauty back to her. And, indeed, sh

’ cried the Fairy, ‘but alas! I cannot h

Princess Daphne, and accordingly the butterflies whisked her off, and set her down in quite a strange kingdom. But she had only been there a very little time before

e, ‘what a place you

Daphne was one of the princesses who asked for

lking, and though at first one may be amused, one ends by being wearied to death. Above all things she loves any assembly for settling the affairs of her kingdom, for on those occasions she can talk a

nthia, where she left her for three months. At the end of that time Sylvia came back to her with all the joy and contentment that one feels at being once more besi

world; she had a thousand lovers who vied with one another in their efforts to ple

our mind, then?’ in

please everyone she ceased to be sincere, and degenerated into a mere coquette; and even her lovers felt that the charms and fascinations which were

Fairy; ‘enjoy yourself here for awhile

at she should ask for herself, and the time was drawing very near. However, before ver

e desirable; the time passed like magic, so great was the charm of her society. But I ended by ceasing to covet that gift more than any of the others I have seen, for, like the gift of pleasing, it cannot really give satisfaction. By degrees I wearied of what had s

a’s conclusions, and felt pleased with h

r companions were assembled; the Fairy stood in the midst and in the

hen answered: ‘A quiet spirit.’ A

ct with her. She has all the beauty of gentleness and contentment in her sweet face; and if at times it

pale to-day. It griev

yful, the sunshine of her presence rejoices