Page 572 - Child's own book

And then he hunted through the mountains, and held her
before him on his horse, and the huntsmen hunted behind
them.
Towards sunset* the handsome capital, with its churches and
cupolas, lay before them. And the king led her into the palace,
where large fountains were playing in marble halls, whose walls
and ceilings were adorned with paintings. But she had not the
heart to look at these fine'things; and kept weeping and mourn­
ing. However, she willingly allowed the women to dress her
in regal rultes, to braid her hair with pearls, and to put delicate
gloves over her scorched fingers.
When she appeared in all her magnificence, she looked so
dazzling!v beautiful, that the whole court bowed still more
profoundly before her. And the king chose her for his bride,
though the archbishop shook his head, and whispered that
the pretty maid of the forest was in all likelihood a witch, who
had fascinated the eyes, and befooled the heart of their king.
But the king would not listen to him,, and ordered the masic
to be played, and the most costly dishes to be placed on the table,
v bile the loveliest girls danced around her. And she was led
through the fragrant garden, to most magnificent rooms, but
not a smile could be won from her lips, or made to sparkle in
her eyes. She seemed the image of sorrow. The king then
opened a little room, close to her sleeping chamber, that was
provided wiilt n costly green carpet, and was exactly like the
cave she came Irom. On the floor lay a bundle of flax that she
had spun out of the nettles, while the coat of mail, which she
had finished, hung from the ceiling. All these things had
been taken away by a huntsman who looked upon them as
curiosities.
You can fancy yourself in 3rour early home," said the king.
tl Here is the woik which busied you in the cave; and now, in