Page 349 - Child's own book

and on the means to repel Furibon, which she looked upon us
difficult, she being alone with a small number of Amazons, who
were unable to defend her ; but on a sudden, she beheld a head
hanging in the air, without anybody that she could see to hold
it. This prodigy astonished her so, that she could not tell what
to think of it; but her amazement was increased when she saw
the head Jaid at her feetwithout seeing the hand which did it, and
yet at the same time hearing a voice that uttered these words :
Charming princes^ cea&e your fair
O f Furibon j whoso Lead see here.
Abricotina, knowing Leander a voice, cried: I protest* ma­
dam, the invisible person who speaks is the very stranger that
rescued me," The princess seemed astonished, but yet pleased.
** Oh ! said she, “ if it be true that the invisible and the stranger
are the same person, 1 confoss I should be glad to make him my
acknowledgments." Leander, still invisible, replied, 44 1 will
yet do more to deserve them ;f’ and so saying, he returned to
Furibons army, where the report of his death was already spread
throughout the camp. As soon as he appeared there in his usual
habit and countenance, everybody came about him ; all the
officers and soldiers surrounded him, uttering the Joudest accla­
mations of joy. In short, they acknowledged him for their king,
and that the crown of right belonged to him ; for which he
thanked them, and, as the first mark of his royal bounty, divided
the thirty rooms of gold among the soldiers ; so that this great
army was enriched for ever. This done, he returned to his
princess, ordering the army to march back into his kingdom.
The princess was gone to bed ; and the profound respect he
had for her would not permit him to enter her chamber ; here-
tired, therefore, into his own; hut by what accident I know not,
lie forgot to make fast the door, as he was wont to do. The
princess could not sleep for the heat, and the disquiet of her