“We can take nothing back which we have once shaken from our persons,”

answered one of them.

“Then, I shall be compelled,” replied the old boatman, as he stooped,

and collected the gold in his cap, “to take it to the shore and bury

it.”

The Will-o’-the-wisps had in the mean time leaped out of the boat, upon

which the old man cried, “Pay me my fare.”

“The man who refuses gold must work for nothing,” answered the

Will-o’-the-wisps.

“My payment must consist of fruits of the earth,” rejoined the Ferryman.

“Fruits of the earth? We despise them: they are not food for us.”

“But you shall not depart,” replied the Ferryman, “till you have given

me three cauliflowers, three artichokes, and three large onions.”

The Will-o’-the-wisps were in the act of running away, with a laugh,

when they felt themselves in some inexplicable manner fixed to the

earth: they had never experienced so strange a sensation. They then

promised to pay the demand without delay, upon which the Ferryman

released them, and instantly pushed off with his boat.

He was already far away, when they called after him, “Old man! listen:

we have forgotten something important;” but he heard them not, and

continued his course. When he had reached a point lower down, on the

same side of the river, he came to some rocks which the water was unable

to reach, and proceeded to bury the dangerous gold. Observing a deep

cleft which opened between two rocks, he threw the gold into it, and

returned to his dwelling. This cleft was inhabited by a beautiful green

Dragon, who was awakened from her sleep by the sound of the falling

money. At the very first appearance of the glittering pieces, she

devoured them greedily, then searched about carefully in hopes of

finding such other coins as might have fallen accidentally amongst the

briers, or between the fissures of the rocks.

The Dragon immediately felt overpowered with the most delightful

sensations, and perceived with joy that she became suddenly shining and

transparent. She had been long aware that this change was possible; but,

entertaining some doubt whether the brilliance would continue, she felt

impelled by curiosity to leave her dwelling, and ascertain, if possible,

to whom she was indebted for the beautiful gold. She found no one; but

she became lost in admiration of herself, and of the brilliant light

which illumined her path through the thick underwood, and shed its rays

over the surrounding green. The leaves of the trees glittered like

emeralds, and the flowers shone with glorious hues. In vain did she

penetrate the solitary wilderness; but hope dawned when she reached the

plains, and observed at a distance a light resembling her own. “Have I

at last discovered my fellow?” she exclaimed, and hastened to the spot.

She found no obstacle from bog or morass; for though the dry meadow and

the high rock were her dearest habitations, and though she loved to feed

upon the spicy root, and to quench her thirst with the crystal dew, and

with fresh water from the spring, yet, for the sake of her beloved gold

and of her glorious light, she was willing to encounter every privation.

Wearied and exhausted, she reached at length the confines of a wide

morass, where our two Will-o’-the-wisps were amusing themselves in

playing fantastic antics. She made towards them, and, saluting them,

expressed her delight at being able to claim relationship with such

charming personages. The lights played around her, skipped from side to

side, and laughed about in their own peculiar fashion. “Dear aunt!” they

exclaimed, “what does it signify, even though you are of horizontal

form? we are related at least through brilliancy. But look how well a

tall, slender figure becomes us gentry of the vertical shape;” and, so

saying, both the lights compressed their breadth together, and shot up

into a thin and pointed line. “Do not be offended, dear friend,” they

continued; “but what family can boast of a privilege like ours? Since

the first Will-o’-the-wisp was created, none of our race have ever been

obliged to sit down or to take repose.”

But all this time the feelings of the Dragon in the presence of her

relations were any thing but pleasant: for, exalt her head as high as

she would, she was compelled to stoop to earth again when she wished to

advance; and, though she was proud of the brilliancy which she shed

round her own dark abode, she felt her light gradually diminish in the

presence of her relatives, and began to fear that it might finally be

extinguished.

In her perplexity she hastily inquired whether the gentlemen could

inform her whence the shining gold had come, which had lately fallen

into the cleft of the rocks hard by; as in her opinion it was a precious

shower from heaven. The Will-o’-the-wisps immediately shook themselves

(at the same time laughing loudly), and a deluge of gold pieces at once

flowed around. The Dragon devoured them greedily. “We hope you like

them, dear aunt,” shouted the shining Will-o’-the-wisps; “we can supply

you with any quantity:” and they shook themselves with such copious

effect, that the Dragon found it difficult to swallow the bright

dainties with sufficient speed. Her brilliancy increased as the gold

disappeared, till at length she shone with inconceivable radiance; while

in the same proportion the Will-o’-the-wisps grew thin and tapering,

without, however, losing the smallest iota of their cheerful humor.

“I am under eternal obligations to you,” said the Dragon, pausing to

breathe from her voracious meal: “ask of me what you please; I will give

you any thing you demand.”

“A bargain!” answered the Will-o’-the-wisp: “tell us, then, where the

beautiful Lily dwells. Lead us to her palace and gardens without delay:

we die of impatience to cast ourselves at her feet.”

“You ask a favor,” replied the Dragon, with a deep sigh, “which it is

not in my power so quickly to bestow. The beautiful Lily lives,

unfortunately, on the opposite bank of the river. We cannot cross over

on this stormy night.”

“Cruel river, which separates us from the object of our desires! But

cannot we call back the old Ferryman?” said they.

“Your wish is vain,” answered the Dragon: “for, even were you to meet

him on this bank, he would refuse to take you; as, though he can convey

passengers to this side of the stream, he can carry no one back.”

“Bad news, indeed! but are there no other means of crossing the river?”

“There are, but not at this moment: I myself can take you over at

mid-day.”

“That is an hour,” replied the Will-o’-the-wisps, “when we do not

usually travel.”

“Then, you had better postpone your intention till evening, when you may

cross in the Giant’s shadow.”

“How is that managed?” they inquired.

“The Giant,” replied the Dragon, “who lives hard by, is powerless with

his body: his hands are incapable of raising even a straw, his shoulders

can bear no burden; but his shadow accomplishes all for him. For this

reason he is most powerful at sunrise and at sunset. At the hour of

evening the Giant will approach the river softly; and, if you place

yourself upon his shadow, it will carry you over. Meet me at mid-day, at

the corner of the wood, where the trees hang over the river, when I

myself will take you across, and introduce you to the beautiful Lily.

Should you, however, shrink from the noonday heat, your only alternative

is to apply to the Giant, when evening casts its shadows around; and he

will no doubt prove obliging.”

With a graceful salutation the young gentlemen took their leave; and the

Dragon rejoiced at their departure, partly that she might indulge her

feelings of pleasure at her own light, and partly that she might satisfy

a curiosity by which she had long been tormented.

In the clefts of the rocks where she dwelt, she had lately made a

wonderful discovery; for, although she had been obliged to crawl through

these chasms in darkness, she had learned to distinguish every object by

feeling. The productions of Nature, which she was accustomed everywhere

to encounter, were all of an irregular kind. At one time she wound her

way amongst the points of enormous crystals, at another she was for a

moment impeded by the veins of solid silver, and many were the precious

stones which her light discovered to her. But, to her great

astonishment, she had encountered in a rock, which was securely closed

on all sides, objects which betrayed the plastic hand of man. Smooth

walls, which she was unable to ascend; sharp, regular angles, tapering

columns; and, what was even more wonderful, human figures, round which

she had often entwined herself, and which appeared to her to be formed

of brass or of polished marble. She was now anxious to behold all these

objects with her eyes, and to confirm, by her own observation, what she

had hitherto but suspected. She now thought herself capable of

illumining with her own light these wonderful subterranean caverns, and

indulged the hope of becoming thoroughly acquainted with these

astonishing mysteries. She delayed not, and quickly found the opening

through which she was accustomed to penetrate into the sanctuary.

Arrived at the place, she looked round with wonder; and though her

brilliancy was unable to light the entire cavern, yet many of the

objects were sufficiently distinct. With astonishment and awe, she

raised her eyes to an illumined niche, in which stood the statue of a

venerable King, of pure gold. In size the statue was colossal, but the

figure was rather that of a little than of a great man. His well-turned

limbs were covered with a simple robe, and his head was encircled by an

oaken garland.

Scarcely had the Dragon beheld this venerable form, when the King found

utterance, and said, “How comest thou hither?”

“Through the cleft,” answered the Dragon, “in which the gold abides.”

“What is nobler than gold?” asked the King.

“Light,” replied the Dragon.

“And what is more vivid than light?” continued the Monarch.

“Speech,” said the Serpent.

During this conversation the Dragon had looked stealthily around, and

observed another noble statue in an adjoining niche. A silver King sat

there enthroned, of figure tall and slender: his limbs were enveloped in

an embroidered mantle; his crown and sceptre were adorned with precious

stones; his countenance wore the serene dignity of pride; and he seemed

about to speak, when a dark vein, which ran through the marble of the

wall, suddenly became brilliant, and cast a soft light through the whole

temple. This light discovered a third King, whose mighty form was cast

in brass: he leaned upon a massive club, his head was crowned with

laurels; and his proportions resembled a rock rather than a human being.

The Dragon felt a desire to approach a fourth King, who stood before her

at a distance; but the wall suddenly opened, the illumined vein flashed

like lightning, and became as suddenly extinguished.

A man of middle stature now approached. He was clad in the garb of a

peasant: in his hand he bore a lamp, the flame of which it was

delightful to behold, and which lightened the entire dwelling, without

leaving the trace of a shadow.

“Why dost thou come, since we have already light?” asked the Golden

King.

“You know that I can shed no ray on what is dark,” replied the old man.

“Will my kingdom end?” inquired the Silver Monarch.

“Late or never,” answered the other.

The Brazen King then asked, with voice of thunder, “When shall I arise?”

“Soon,” was the reply.

“With whom shall I be united?” continued the former.

“With thine elder brother,” answered the latter.

“And what will become of the youngest?”

“He will repose.”

“I am not weary,” interrupted the fourth King, with a deep but faltering

voice.

During this conversation the Dragon had wound her way softly through the

temple, surveyed every thing which it contained, and approached the

niche in which the fourth King stood. He leaned against a pillar, and

his handsome countenance bore traces of melancholy. It was difficult to

distinguish the metal of which the statue was composed. It resembled a

mixture of the three metals of which his brothers were formed, but it

seemed as if the materials had not thoroughly blended; as the veins of

gold and silver crossed each other irregularly through the brazen mass,

and destroyed the effect of the whole.

The Golden King now asked, “How many secrets dost thou know?”

“Three,” was the reply.

“And which is the most important?” inquired the Silver King.

“The revealed,” answered the old man.

“Wilt thou explain it to us?” asked the Brazen King.

“When I have learned the fourth,” was the response.

“I care not,” murmured he of the strange compound.

“I know the fourth,” interrupted the Dragon, approaching the old man,

and whispering in his ear.

“The time is come,” exclaimed the latter, with tremendous voice. The

sounds echoed through the temple; the statues rang again: and in the

same instant the old man disappeared towards the west, and the Dragon

towards the east; and both pierced instantly through the impediments of

the rock.

Every passage through which the old man bent his course became

immediately filled with gold; for the lamp which he carried possessed

the wonderful property of converting stones into gold, wood into silver,

and dead animals into jewels. But, in order to produce this effect, it

was necessary that no other light should be near. In the presence of

another light the lamp merely emitted a soft illumination, which,

however, gave joy to every living thing.

The old man returned to his hut on the brow of the hill, and found his

wife in the greatest sorrow. She was seated at the fire, her eyes filled

with tears; and she refused all consolation.

“What a misfortune,” she exclaimed, “that I allowed you to leave home

to-day!”

“What has happened?” answered the old man, very quietly.

“You were scarcely gone,” replied she with sobs, “before two rude

travellers came to the door: unfortunately I admitted them; as they

seemed good, worthy people. They were attired like flames, and might

have passed for Will-o’-the-wisps; but they had scarcely entered the

house before they commenced their flatteries, and became at length so

importunate that I blush to recollect their conduct.”

“Well,” said the old man, smiling, “the gentlemen were only amusing

themselves; and, at your age, you should have considered it as the

display of ordinary politeness.”

“My age!” rejoined the old woman. “Will you forever remind me of my age?

how old am I, then? And ordinary politeness! But I can tell you

something: look round at the walls of our hut: you will now be able to

see the old stones, which have been concealed for more than a hundred

years. These visitors extracted all the gold more quickly than I can

tell you, and they assured me that it was of capital flavor. When they

had completely cleared the walls, they grew cheerful; and, in a few

minutes, their persons became tall, broad, and shining. They thereupon

again commenced their tricks, and repeated their flatteries, calling me

a queen. They shook themselves, and immediately a profusion of gold

pieces fell on all sides. You may see some of them still glittering on

the floor; but a calamity soon occurred. Our dog Mops swallowed some of

them; and, see! he lies dead in the chimney-corner. Poor animal! his

death afflicts me. I did not observe it till they had departed,

otherwise I should not have promised to pay the Ferryman the debt they

owed him.”

“How much do they owe?” inquired the old man.

“Three cauliflowers,” answered his wife, “three artichokes, and three

onions. I have promised to take them to the river at break of day.”

“You had better oblige them,” said the old man, “and they may perhaps

serve us in time of need.”

“I know not if they will keep their word,” said she, “but they promised

and vowed to serve us.”

The fire had, in the mean time, died away; but the old man covered the

cinders with ashes, put away the shining gold pieces, and lighted his

lamp afresh. In the glorious illumination the walls became covered with

gold, and Mops was transformed into the most beautiful onyx that was

ever beheld. The variety of color which glittered through the costly gem

produced a splendid effect.

“Take your basket,” said the old man, “and place the onyx in it. Then

collect the three cauliflowers, the three artichokes, and the three

onions, lay them together, and carry them to the river. The Dragon will

bear you across at mid-day: then visit the beautiful Lily; her touch

will give life to the onyx, as her touch gives death to every living

thing; and it will be to her an affectionate friend. Tell her not to

mourn; that her deliverance is nigh; that she must consider a great

misfortune as her greatest blessing, for the time is come.”

The old woman prepared her basket, and set forth at break of day. The

rising sun shone brightly over the river, which gleamed in the far

distance. The old woman journeyed slowly on, for the weight of the

basket oppressed her; but it did not arise from the onyx. Nothing

lifeless proved a burden; for, when the basket contained dead things, it

rose aloft, and floated over her head. But a fresh vegetable, or the

smallest living creature, induced fatigue. She had toiled along for some

distance, when she started, and suddenly stood still; for she had nearly

placed her foot upon the shadow of the Giant, which was advancing

towards her from the plain. Her eye now perceived his monstrous bulk: he

had just bathed in the river, and was coming out of the water. She knew

not how to avoid him. He saw her, saluted her jestingly, and thrust the

hand of his shadow into her basket. With dexterity he stole a

cauliflower, an artichoke, and an onion, and raised them to his mouth.

He then proceeded on his course up the stream, and left the woman alone.

She considered whether it would not be better to return, and supply the

missing vegetables from her own garden; and, lost in these reflections,

she went on her way until she arrived at the bank of the river. She sat

down, and awaited for a long time the arrival of the Ferryman. He

appeared at length, having in his boat a traveller whose air was

mysterious. A handsome youth, of noble aspect, stepped on shore.

“What have you brought with you?” said the old man.

“The vegetables,” replied the woman, “which the Will-o’-the-wisps owe

you;” pointing to the contents of her basket.

But when he found that there were but two of each kind, he became angry,

and refused to take them.

The woman implored him to relent, assuring him that she could not then

return home; as she had found her burden heavy, and she had still a long

way to go. But he was obstinate, maintaining that the decision did not

depend upon him.

“I am obliged to collect my gains for nine hours,” said he, “and I can

keep nothing for myself till I have paid a third part to the river.”

At length, after much contention, he told her there was still a remedy.

“If you give security to the river, and acknowledge your debt, I will

take the six articles; though such a course is not devoid of danger.

“But, if I keep my word, I incur no risk,” she said earnestly.

“Not the least,” he replied. “Thrust your hand into the river, and

promise that within four and twenty hours you will pay the debt.”

The old woman complied, but shuddered as she observed that her hand, on

drawing it out of the water, had become as black as a coal. She scolded

angrily; exclaiming that her hands had always been most beautiful, and

that, notwithstanding her hard work, she had ever kept them white and

delicate. She gazed at her hand with the greatest alarm, and exclaimed,

“This is still worse: it has shrunk, and is already much smaller than

the other!”

“It only appears so now,” said the Ferryman; “but, if you break your

word, it will be so in reality. Your hand will in that case grow

smaller, and finally disappear; though you will still preserve the use

of it.”

“I would rather,” she replied, “lose it altogether, and that my

misfortune should be concealed. But no matter, I will keep my word, to

escape this black disgrace, and avoid so much anxiety.” Whereupon she

took her basket, which rose aloft, and floated freely over her head. She

hastened after the youth, who was walking thoughtfully along the bank.

His noble figure and peculiar attire had made a deep impression upon her

mind.

His breast was covered with a shining cuirass, whose transparency

permitted the motions of his graceful form to be seen. From his

shoulders hung a purple mantle, and his auburn locks waved in beautiful

curls round his uncovered head. His noble countenance and his

well-turned feet were exposed to the burning rays of the sun. Thus did

he journey patiently over the hot sand, which, “true to one sorrow, he

trod without feeling.”

The garrulous old woman sought to engage him in conversation; but he

heeded her not, or answered briefly, until, notwithstanding his beauty,

she became weary, and took leave of him, saying, “You are too slow for

me, sir; and I cannot lose my time, as I am anxious to cross the river,

with the assistance of the Green Dragon, and to present the beautiful

Lily with my husband’s handsome present.” So saying, she left him

speedily, upon which the youth took heart, and followed her without

delay.

“You are going to the beautiful Lily!” he exclaimed: “if so, our way

lies together. What present are you taking her?”

“Sir,” answered the woman, “it is not fair that you should so earnestly

inquire after my secrets, when you paid so little attention to my

questions. But, if you will relate your history to me, I will tell you

all about my present.”

They made the bargain: the woman told her story, including the account

of the dog, and allowed him to view the beautiful onyx.

He lifted the beautiful precious stone from the basket, and took Mops,

who seemed to slumber softly, in his arms.

“Fortunate animal!” he exclaimed: “you will be touched by her soft

hands, and restored to life, in place of fleeing from her contact, like

all other living things, to escape an evil doom. But, alas! what words

are these? Is it not a sadder and more fearful fate to be annihilated by

her presence than to die by her hand? Behold me, thus young, what a

melancholy destiny is mine! This armor, which I have borne with glory in

the battle-broil; this purple, which I have earned by the wisdom of my

government,--have been converted by Fate, the one into an unceasing

burden, the other into an empty honor. Crown, sceptre, and sword are

worthless. I am now as naked and destitute as every other son of clay.

For such is the spell of her beautiful blue eyes, that they waste the

vigor of every living creature; and those whom the contact of her hand

does not destroy are reduced to the condition of breathing shadows.”

Thus he lamented long, but without satisfying the curiosity of the old

woman, who sought information respecting both his mental and his bodily

sufferings. She learned neither the name of his father nor his kingdom.

He stroked the rigid Mops, to whom the beams of the sun and the caresses

of the youth had imparted warmth. He inquired earnestly about the man

with the lamp, about the effect of the mysterious light, and seemed to

expect thence great relief from his deep sorrow.

So discoursing, they observed at a distance the majestic arch of the

bridge, which stretched from one bank of the river to the other, and

shone splendidly in the beams of the sun. Both were astonished at the

sight, as they had never before seen it so resplendent.

“What!” cried the Prince, “was it not sufficiently beautiful before,

with its decorations of jasper and opal? Can we now dare to pass over

it, constructed as it is of emerald and chrysolite of varied beauty?”

Neither had any idea of the change which the Dragon had undergone; for

in truth it was the Dragon, whose custom it was at mid-day to arch her

form across the stream, and assume the appearance of a beauteous bridge,

which travellers crossed with silent reverence.

Scarcely had they reached the opposite bank, when the bridge began to

sway from side to side, and gradually sank to the level of the water;

while the Green Dragon assumed her accustomed shape, and followed the

travellers to the shore. The latter thanked her for her condescension in

allowing them a passage across the stream; observing, at the same time,

that there were evidently more persons present than were actually

visible. They heard a light whispering, which the Dragon answered with a

similar sound. They listened, and heard the following words: “We will

first make our observations unperceived in the park of the beautiful

Lily, and look for you, when the shadows of evening fall, to introduce

us to such perfect beauty. You will find us on the bank of the great

lake.”

“Agreed,” answered the Dragon; and a hissing sound died away in the air.

Our three travellers further consulted with what regard to precedence

they should appear before the beautiful Lily; for, let her visitors be

never so numerous, they must enter and depart singly if they wished to

escape bitter suffering.

The woman, carrying in the basket the transformed dog, came first to the

garden, and sought an interview with her benefactress. She was easily

found, as she was then singing to the accompaniment of her harp. The

sweet tones showed themselves first in the form of circles upon the

bosom of the calm lake; and then, like a soft breeze, they imparted

motion to the grass and to the tremulous leaves. She was seated in a

secluded nook beneath the shade of trees, and at the first glance

enchanted the eyes, the ear, and the heart of the old woman, who

advanced towards her with rapture, and protested that since their last

meeting she had become more beautiful than ever. Even from a distance

she saluted the charming maiden in these words: “What joy to be in your

presence! What a heaven surrounds you! What a spell proceeds from your

lyre, which, encircled by your soft arms, and influenced by the pressure

of your gentle bosom and slender fingers, utters such entrancing melody!

Thrice happy the blessed youth who could claim so great a favor!”

So saying, she approached nearer. The beautiful Lily raised her eyes,

let her hands drop, and said, “Do not distress me with your untimely

praise: it makes me feel even more unhappy. And see! here is my

beautiful canary dead at my feet, which used to accompany my songs so

sweetly: he was accustomed to sit upon my harp, and was carefully

instructed to avoid my touch. This morning, when, refreshed by sleep, I

tuned a pleasant melody, the little warbler sang with increased harmony,

when suddenly a hawk soared above us. My little bird sought refuge in my

bosom, and at that instant I felt the last gasp of his expiring breath.

It is true that the hawk, struck by my instantaneous glance, fell

lifeless into the stream; but what avails this penalty to me?--my

darling is dead, and his grave will but add to the number of the weeping

willows in my garden.”

“Take courage, beautiful Lily,” interrupted the old woman, whilst at the

same moment she wiped away a tear which the narration of the sorrowful

maiden had brought to her eye,--“take courage, and learn from my

experience to moderate your grief. Great misfortune is often the

harbinger of intense joy. For the time approaches: but in truth,”

continued she, “‘the web of life is of a mingled yarn.’ See my hand, how

black it has grown; and, in truth, it has become much diminished in

size: I must be speedy, before it be reduced to nothing. Why did I

promise favors to the Will-o’-the-wisps, or meet the Giant, or dip my

hand into the river? Can you oblige me with a cauliflower, an artichoke,

or an onion? I shall take them to the river, and then my hand will

become so white that it will almost equal the lustre of your own.”

“Cauliflowers and onions abound, but artichokes cannot be procured. My

garden produces neither flowers nor fruit; but every twig I plant upon

the grave of any thing I love bursts into leaf at once, and grows a

goodly tree. Thus, beneath my eye, alas! have grown these clustering

trees and copses. These tall pines, these shadowing cypresses, these

mighty oaks, these overhanging beeches, were once small twigs planted by

my hand, as sad memorials, in an ungenial soil.”

The old woman paid but little attention to this speech, but was employed

in watching her hand, which in the presence of the beautiful Lily became

every instant of a darker hue, and grew gradually less. She was about to

take her basket and depart, when she felt that she had forgotten the

most important of her duties. She took the transformed dog in her arms,

and laid him upon the grass, not far from the beautiful Lily. “My

husband,” she said, “sends you this present. You know that your touch

can impart life to this precious stone. The good and faithful animal

will be a joy to you, and the grief his loss causes me will be

alleviated by the thought that he is yours.”

The beautiful Lily looked at the pretty creature with delight, and

rapture beamed from her eyes. “Many things combine to inspire me with

hope; but, alas! is it not a delusion of our nature to expect that joy

is near when grief is at the worst?”

“Ah! what avail these omens all so fair?

My sweet bird’s death, my friend’s hands blackly dyed,

And Mops transformed into a jewel rare,

Sent by the Lamp our faltering steps to guide.

Far from mankind and every joy I prize,

To grief and sorrow I am still allied:

When from the river will the temple rise?

When will the bridge span it from side to side?”

The old woman waited with impatience for the conclusion of the song,

which the beautiful Lily had accompanied with her harp, entrancing the

ears of every listener. She was about to say farewell, when the arrival

of the Dragon compelled her to remain. She had heard the last words of

the song, and on this account spoke words of encouragement to the

beautiful Lily. “The prophecy of the bridge is fulfilled!” she

exclaimed: “this good woman will bear witness how splendidly the arch

now appears. Formerly of untransparent jasper, which only reflected the

light upon the sides, it is now converted into precious jewels of

transparent hue. No beryl is so bright, and no emerald so splendid.”

“I congratulate you thereupon,” said the Lily, “but pardon me if I doubt

whether the prediction is fulfilled. Only foot-passengers can as yet

cross the arch of your bridge; and it has been foretold that horses and

carriages, travellers of all descriptions, shall pass and repass in

mingled multitudes. Is prediction silent with respect to the mighty

pillars which are to ascend from the river?”

The old woman, whose eyes were fixed immovably upon her hand,

interrupted this speech, and bade farewell.

“Wait for one moment,” said the beautiful Lily, “and take my poor

canary-bird with you. Implore the Lamp to convert him into a topaz; and

I will then re-animate him with my touch, and he and your good Mops will

then be my greatest consolation. But make what speed you can; for with

sunset decay will have commenced its withering influence, marring the

beauty of its delicate form.”

The old woman enveloped the little corpse in some soft young leaves,

placed it in the basket, and hastened from the spot.

“Notwithstanding what you say,” continued the Dragon, resuming the

interrupted conversation, “the temple is built.”

“But it does not yet stand upon the river,” replied the beautiful Lily.

“It rests still in the bowels of the earth,” continued the Dragon. “I

have seen the Kings, and spoken to them.”

“And when will they awake?” inquired the Lily.

The Dragon answered, “I heard the mighty voice resound through the

temple, announcing that the hour was come.”

A ray of joy beamed from the countenance of the beautiful Lily as she

exclaimed, “Do I hear those words for the second time to-day? When will

the hour arrive in which I shall hear them for the third time?”

She rose, and immediately a beautiful maiden came from the wood, and

relieved her of her harp. She was followed by another, who took the

ivory chair upon which the beautiful Lily had been seated, folded it

together, and carried it away, together with the silver-tissued cushion.

The third maiden, who bore in her hand a fan inlaid with pearls,

approached to tender her services if they should be needed. These three

maidens were lovely beyond description, though they were compelled to

acknowledge that their charms fell far short of those of their beautiful

mistress.

The beautiful Lily had, in the mean time, surveyed the marvellous Mops

with a look of pleasure. She leaned over him, and touched him. He

instantly leaped up, looked round joyously, bounded with delight,

hastened to his benefactress, and caressed her tenderly. She took him in

her arms, and pressed him to her bosom. “Cold though thou art,” she

said, “and endued with only half a life, yet art thou welcome to me. I

will love thee fondly, play with thee sportively, kiss thee softly, and

press thee to my heart.” She let him go a little from her, called him

back, chased him away again, and played with him so joyously and

innocently, that no one could help sympathizing in her delight and

taking part in her pleasure, as they had before shared her sorrow and

her woe.

But this happiness and this pleasant pastime were interrupted by the

arrival of the melancholy youth. His walk and appearance were as we have

before described; but he seemed overcome by the heat of the day, and the

presence of his beloved had rendered him perceptibly paler. He bore the

hawk upon his wrist, where it sat with drooping wing as tranquil as a

dove.

“It is not well,” exclaimed the Lily, “that you should vex my eyes with

that odious bird, which has only this day murdered my little favorite.”

“Blame not the luckless bird,” exclaimed the youth: “rather condemn

yourself and fate, and let me find an associate in this companion of my

grief.”

Mops, in the mean time, was incessant in his caresses; and the Lily

responded to his affection with the most gentle tokens of love. She

clapped her hands to drive him away, and then sportively pursued to win

him back. She caught him in her arms as he tried to escape, and chased

him from her when he sought to nestle in her lap. The youth looked on in

silence and in sorrow; but when at length she took him in her arms, and

pressed him to her snowy breast, and kissed him with her heavenly lips,

he lost all patience, and exclaimed in the depth of his despair, “And

must I, whom a sad destiny compels to live in your presence, and yet to

be separated from you, perhaps forever,--must I, who for you have

forfeited every thing, even my own being,--must I look on and behold

this ‘defect of nature’ gain your notice, win your love, and enjoy the

paradise of your embrace? Must I continue to wander and measure my

solitary way along the banks of this stream? No! a spark of my former

spirit still burns within my bosom. Oh that it would for the last time

mount into a flame! If stones may repose within your bosom, then let me

be converted to a stone; and, if your touch can kill, I am content to

receive my death at your hands.”

He became violently excited; the hawk flew from his wrist; he rushed

towards the beautiful Lily; she extended her arms to forbid his

approach, and touched him undesignedly. His consciousness immediately

forsook him, and with dismay she felt the beautiful burden lean for

support upon her breast. She started back with a scream, and the fair

youth sank lifeless from her arms to the earth.

The deed was done. The sweet Lily stood motionless, and gazed intently

on the breathless corpse. Her heart ceased to beat, and her eyes were

bedewed with tears. In vain did Mops seek to win her attention: the

whole world had died out with her lost friend. Her dumb despair sought

no help, for help was now in vain.

But the Dragon became immediately more active. Her mind seemed occupied

with thoughts of rescue; and, in truth, her mysterious movements

prevented the immediate consequence of this dire misfortune. She wound

her serpentine form in a wide circle round the spot where the body lay,

seized the end of her tail between her teeth, and remained motionless.

In a few moments one of the servants of the beautiful Lily approached,

carrying the ivory chair, and with friendly entreaties compelled her

mistress to be seated. Then came a second, bearing a flame-colored veil,

with which she rather adorned than covered the head of the Lily. A third

maiden offered her the harp; and scarcely had she struck the chords, and

awakened their delicious tones, when the first maiden returned, having

in her hands a circular mirror of lustrous brightness, placed herself

opposite the Lily, intercepted her looks, and reflected the most

enchanting countenance which nature could fashion. Her sorrow added

lustre to her beauty, the veil heightened her charms, the harp lent her

a new grace; and, though it was impossible not to hope that her sad fate

might soon undergo a change, one could almost wish that that lovely and

enchanting vision might last forever.

Silently gazing upon the mirror, she drew melting tones of music from

her harp; but her sorrow appeared to increase, and the chords responded

to her melancholy mood. Once or twice she opened her lips to sing, but

her voice refused utterance; whereupon her grief found refuge in tears.

Her two attendants supported her in their arms, and the harp fell from

her hands; but the watchful attention of her handmaid caught it, and

laid it aside.

“Who will fetch the man with the lamp?” whispered the Dragon in low but

audible voice. The maidens looked at each other, and the Lily’s tears

fell faster.

At this instant the old woman with the basket returned breathless with

agitation. “I am lost and crippled for life!” she exclaimed. “Look! my

hand is nearly withered. Neither the Ferryman nor the Giant would set me

across the river, because I am indebted to the stream. In vain did I

tempt them with a hundred cauliflowers and a hundred onions: they insist

upon the stipulated three, and not an artichoke can be found in this

neighborhood.”

“Forget your distress,” said the Dragon, “and give your assistance here:

perhaps you will be relieved at the same time. Hasten, and find out the

Will-o’-the-wisps; for, though you cannot see them by daylight, you may,

perhaps, hear their laughter and their motions. If you make good speed,

the Giant may yet transport you across the river, and you may find the

man with the lamp and send him hither.”

The old woman made as much haste as possible, and the Dragon showed as

much impatience for her return as the Lily. But, sad to say, the golden

rays of the setting sun were shedding their last beams upon the highest

tops of the trees, and lengthening the mountain shadows over lake and

meadow. The motions of the Dragon showed increased impatience, and the

Lily was dissolved in tears.

In this moment of distress the Dragon looked anxiously round: she feared

every instant that the sun would set, and that decay would penetrate

within the magic circle, and exert its fell influence upon the corpse of

the beautiful youth. She looked into the heavens, and caught sight of

the purple wings and breast of the hawk, which were illumined by the

last rays of the sun. Her restlessness betrayed her joy at the good

omen; and she was not deceived, for instantly afterwards she saw the man

with the lamp sliding across the lake as if he had skates on his feet.

The Dragon did not alter her position; but the Lily, rising from her

seat, exclaimed, “What good spirit has sent you thus opportunely when

you are so much longed for and required?”

“The Spirit of my Lamp impels me,” replied the old man, “and the hawk

conducts me hither. The lamp flickers when I am needed; and I

immediately look to the heavens for a sign, when some bird or meteor

points the way I should go. Be tranquil, beautiful maiden: I know not if

I can help you; one alone can do but little, but he can avail who in the

proper hour unites his strength with others. We must wait and hope.”

Then turning to the Dragon, he said, “Keep your circle closed;” and,

seating himself upon a hillock at his side, he shed a light upon the

corpse of the youth. “Now bring the little canary-bird,” he continued,

“and lay it also within the circle.”

The maiden took the little creature from the basket, and followed the

directions of the old man.

The sun had set in the mean time; and, as the shades of evening closed

around, not only the Dragon and the Lamp cast their customary light, but

the veil of the Lily was illumined with a soft brilliancy, and caused

her pale cheeks and her white robe to beam like the dawn of morning, and

clothed her with inexpressible grace. They gazed at each other with

silent emotions: anxiety and sorrow were softened by hope of approaching

happiness.

To the delight of all, the old woman appeared with the lively

Will-o’-the-wisps, who must have led a prodigal life of late, for they

looked wonderfully thin, but behaved all the more politely to the

princess and the other young ladies. With an air of confidence, and much

force of expression, they discoursed upon ordinary topics, and were much

struck by the charm which the shining veil shed over the beautiful Lily

and her companions. The young ladies cast down their eyes with modest

looks, and their beauty was heightened by the praise it called forth.

Every one was happy and contented, not excepting even the old woman.

Notwithstanding the assurance of her husband that her hand would not

continue to wither whilst the Lamp shone upon it, she continued to

assert, that, if things went on thus, it would disappear entirely before

midnight.

The old man with the lamp had listened attentively to the speech of the

Will-o’-the-wisps, and was charmed to observe that the beautiful Lily

was pleased and flattered with their compliments. Midnight had actually

come before they were aware. The old man looked up to the stars, and

spoke thus: “We are met at a fortunate hour: let each fulfil his office,

let each discharge his duty; and a general happiness will alleviate one

individual trouble, as a universal sorrow destroys particular joys.”

After these observations a mysterious murmur arose; for every one

present spoke for himself, and mentioned what he had to do: the three

maidens alone were silent. One had fallen asleep near the harp, the

other beside the fan, and the third leaning against the ivory chair: and

no one could blame them; for, in truth, it was late. The

Will-o’-the-wisps, after paying some trivial compliments to the other

ladies, including even the attendants, attached themselves finally to

the Lily, by whose beauty they were attracted.

“Take the mirror,” said the old man to the hawk, “and illumine the fair

sleepers with the first beams of the sun, and rouse them from their

slumbers by the light reflected from heaven.”

The Dragon now began to move: she broke up the circle, and in long

windings moved slowly to the river. The Will-o’-the-wisps followed her

in solemn procession, and they might have been mistaken for the most

serious personages. The old woman and her husband took up the basket,

the soft light of which had hitherto been scarcely observed; but it now

became clearer and more brilliant. They laid the body of the youth

within it, with the canary-bird reposing upon his breast, upon which the

basket raised itself into the air, and floated over the head of the old

woman; and she followed the steps of the Will-o’-the-wisps. The

beautiful Lily, taking Mops in her arms, walked after the old woman; and

the man with the lamp closed the procession.

The whole neighborhood was brilliantly illuminated with all these

various lights. They all observed with astonishment, on approaching the

river, that it was spanned by a majestic arch, whereby the benevolent

Dragon had prepared them a lustrous passage across. The transparent

jewels of which the bridge was composed were objects of no less

astonishment by day than was their wondrous brilliancy by night. The

clear arch above cut sharply against the dark sky; whilst vivid rays of

light beneath shone against the key-stone, revealing the firm pliability

of the structure. The procession moved slowly over; and the Ferryman,

who witnessed the proceeding from his hut, surveyed the brilliant arch

with awe, no less than the wondrous lights as they journeyed across it.

As soon as they had reached the opposite bank, the bridge began to

contract as usual, and sink to the surface of the water. The Dragon made

her way to the shore, and the basket descended to the ground. The Dragon

now once more assumed a circular shape; and the old man, bowing before

her, asked what she had determined to do.

“To sacrifice myself before I am made a sacrifice: only promise me that

you will leave no stone on the land.”

The old man promised, and then addressed the beautiful Lily thus: “Touch

the Dragon with your left hand, and your lover with your right.”

The beautiful Lily knelt down, and laid her hands upon the Dragon and

the corpse. In an instant the latter became endued with life: he moved,

and then sat upright. The Lily wished to embrace him; but the old man

held her back, and assisted the youth whilst he led him beyond the

limits of the circle.

The youth stood erect, the little canary fluttered upon his shoulder,

but his mind was not yet restored. His eyes were open; but he saw, at

least he appeared to look on, every thing with indifference. Scarcely

was the wonder at this circumstance appeased, when the change which the

Dragon had undergone excited attention. Her beautiful and slender form

was converted into thousands and thousands of precious stones. The old

woman, in the effort to seize her basket, had struck unintentionally

against her, after which nothing more was seen of the figure of the

Dragon. Only a heap of brilliant jewels lay in the grass. The old man

immediately set to work to collect them into his basket, a task in which

he was assisted by his wife. They both then carried the basket to an

elevated spot on the bank, when he cast the entire contents into the

stream, not, however, without the opposition of his wife and of the

beautiful Lily, who would willingly have appropriated a portion of the

treasure to themselves. The jewels gleamed in the rippling waters like

brilliant stars, and were carried away by the stream; and none can say

whether they disappeared in the distance or sank to the bottom.

“Young gentlemen,” then said the old man respectfully to the

Will-o’-the-wisps, “I will now point out your path, and lead the way;

and you will render us the greatest service by opening the doors of the

temple through which we must enter, and which you alone can unlock.”

The Will-o’-the-wisps bowed politely, and took their post in the rear.

The man with the lamp advanced first into the rocks, which opened of

their own accord; the youth followed with apparent indifference; with

silent uncertainty the beautiful Lily lingered slowly behind; the old

woman, unwilling to be left alone, followed after, stretching out her

hand that it might receive the rays of her husband’s lamp; the

procession was closed by the Will-o’-the-wisps, and their bright flames

nodded and blended with each other as if they were engaged in active

conversation. They had not gone far before they came to a large brazen

gate which was fastened by a golden lock. The old man thereupon sought

the assistance of the Will-o’-the-wisps, who did not want to be

entreated, but at once introduced their pointed flames into the lock,

when the wards yielded to their influence. The brass resounded as the

doors flew wide asunder, and displayed the venerable statues of the

kings illuminated by the advancing lights. Each individual in turn bowed

to the reverend potentates with respect, and the Will-o’-the-wisps were

prodigal of their lambent salutations.

After a short pause the Golden King asked, “Whence do you come?”

“From the world,” answered the old man.

“And whither are you going?” inquired the Silver King.

“Back to the world,” was the answer.

“And what do you wish with us?” asked the Brazen King.

“To accompany you,” responded the old man.

The fourth king was about to speak, when the golden statue thus

addressed the Will-o’-the-wisps, who had advanced towards him: “Depart

from me. My gold is not for you.”

They then turned towards the Silver King, and his apparel assumed the

golden hue of their yellow flames. “You are welcome,” he said, “but I

cannot feed you. Satisfy yourselves elsewhere, and then bring me your

light.”

They departed; and, stealing unobserved past the Brazen King, they

attached themselves to the King composed of various metals.

“Who will rule the world?” inquired the latter in inarticulate tones.

“He who stands erect,” answered the old man.

“That is I,” replied the King.

“Then it will be revealed,” said the old man, “for the time is come.”

The beautiful Lily fell upon his neck, and kissed him tenderly. “Kind

father,” she said, “a thousand thanks for allowing me to hear this

comforting word for the third time:” and, so saying, she felt compelled

to grasp the old man’s arm; for the earth began to tremble beneath them:

the old woman and the youth clung to each other, whilst the pliant

Will-o’-the-wisps felt not the slightest inconvenience.

It was evident that the whole temple was in motion; and, like a ship

which pursues its quiet way from the harbor when the anchor is raised,

the depths of the earth seemed to open before it, whilst it clove its

way through. It encountered no obstacle, no rock opposed its progress.

Presently a very fine rain penetrated through the cupola. The old man

continued to support the beautiful Lily, and whispered, “We are now

under the river, and shall soon attain the goal.” Presently they thought

the motion ceased; but they were deceived, the temple still moved

onwards. A strange sound was now heard above them: beams and broken

rafters burst in disjointed fragments through the opening of the cupola.

The Lily and the old woman retreated in alarm: the man with the lamp

stood by the youth, and encouraged him to remain. The Ferryman’s little

hut had been ploughed from the ground by the advance of the temple, and,

in its gradual fall, buried the youth and the old man.

The women screamed in alarm, and the temple shook like a vessel which

strikes upon a hidden rock. Anxiously the women wandered round the hut

in darkness: the doors were shut, and no one answered their knocking.

They continued to knock more loudly, when at last the wood began to ring

with sounds: the magic power of the lamp, which was enclosed within the

hut, changed it into silver, and presently its very form was altered;

for the noble metal, refusing to assume the form of planks, posts, and

rafters, was converted into a glorious building of artistic workmanship:

it seemed as if a smaller temple had grown up within the large one, or

at least an altar worthy of its beauty.

The noble youth ascended a staircase in the interior, whilst the man

with the lamp shed light upon his way; and another figure lent him

support, clad in a short white garment, and holding in his hand a silver

rudder: it was easy to recognize the Ferryman, the former inhabitant of

the transformed hut.

The beautiful Lily ascended the outward steps which led from the temple

to the altar, but was compelled to remain separated from her lover. The

old woman, whose hand continued to grow smaller whilst the light of the

lamp was obscured, exclaimed, “Am I still doomed to be unhappy amid so

many miracles? will no miracle restore my hand?”

Her husband pointed to the open door, exclaiming, “See, the day dawns!

hasten, and bathe in the river!”

“What advice!” she answered: “shall I not become wholly black, and

dissolve into nothing? for I have not yet discharged my debt.”

“Be silent,” said the old man, “and follow me: all debts are wiped

away.”

The old woman obeyed, and in the same instant the light of the rising

sun shone upon the circle of the cupola. Then the old man, advancing

between the youth and the maiden, exclaimed with a loud voice, “Three

things have sway upon the earth,--Wisdom, Appearance, and Power.”

At the sound of the first word the Golden King arose; at the sound of

the second, the Silver King; and the Brazen King had risen at the sound

of the third, when the fourth suddenly sunk awkwardly to the earth. The

Will-o’-the-wisps, who had been busily employed upon him till this

moment, now retreated: though paled by the light of the morning, they

seemed in good condition, and sufficiently brilliant; for they had with

much dexterity extracted the gold from the veins of the colossal statue

with their sharp-pointed tongues. The irregular spaces which were thus

displayed remained for some time exposed, and the figure preserved its

previous form; but when at length the most secret veins of gold had been

extracted, the statue suddenly fell with a crash, and formed a mass of

shapeless ruins.

The man with the lamp conducted the youth, whose eye was still fixed

upon vacancy, from the altar towards the Brazen King. At the foot of the

mighty monarch lay a sword in a brazen sheath. The youth bound it to his

side. “Take the weapon in your left hand, and keep the right hand free,”

exclaimed the King.

They then advanced to the Silver Monarch, who bent his sceptre towards

the youth; the latter seized it with his left hand: and the King

addressed him in soft accents, “Feed my sheep.”

When they reached the statue of the Golden King, with paternal

benediction the latter pressed the oaken garland on the head of the

youth, and said, “Acknowledge the highest.”

The old man had, during this proceeding, watched the youth attentively.

After he had girded on the sword, his breast heaved, his arm was firmer,

and his step more erect; and, after he had touched the sceptre, his

sense of power appeared to soften, and at the same time, by an

inexpressible charm, to become more mighty; but, when his waving locks

were adorned with the oaken garland, his countenance became animated,

his soul beamed from his eye; and the first word he uttered was “Lily!”

“Dear Lily!” he exclaimed, as he hastened to ascend the silver stairs,

for she had observed his progress from the altar where she stood,--“dear

Lily, what can man desire more blessed than the innocence and the sweet

affection which your love brings me? O my friend!” he continued, turning

to the old man, and pointing to the three sacred statues, “secure and

glorious is the kingdom of our fathers; but you have forgotten to

enumerate that fourth power, which exercises an earlier, more universal,

and certain rule over the world,--the power of love.”

With these words he flung his arms round the neck of the beautiful

maiden: she had cast aside her veil, and her cheeks were tinged with a

blush of the sweetest and most inexpressible beauty.

The old man now observed, with a smile, “Love does not rule, but

controls; and that is better.”

During all this delight and enchantment, no one had observed that the

sun was now high in heaven; and through the open gates of the temple

most unexpected objects were perceived. An empty space, of large

dimensions, was surrounded by pillars, and terminated by a long and

splendid bridge, whose many arches stretched across the river. On each

side was a footpath, wide and convenient for passengers, of whom many

thousands were busily employed in crossing over: the wide road in the

centre was crowded with flocks and herds, and horsemen and carriages;

and all streamed over without impeding each other’s progress. All were

in raptures at the union of convenience and beauty; and the new king and

his spouse were as much charmed with the animation and activity of this

great concourse as they were with their own reciprocal love.

“Honor the Dragon,” said the man with the lamp: “to her you are indebted

for life, and your people for the bridge whereby these neighboring

shores are animated and connected. Those shining precious stones which

still float by are the remains of her self-sacrifice, and form the

foundation-stones of this glorious bridge, upon which she has erected

herself to subsist forever.”

The approach of four beautiful maidens, who advanced to the door of the

temple, prevented any inquiry into this wonderful mystery. Three of them

were recognized as the attendants of the beautiful Lily, by the harp,

the fan, and the ivory chair; but the fourth, though more beautiful than

the other three, was a stranger. She, however, played with the others

with sisterly sportiveness, ran with them through the temple, and

ascended the silver stairs.

“Thou dearest of creatures!” said the man with the lamp, addressing the

beautiful Lily, “you will surely believe me for the future. Happy for

thee, and every other creature, who shall bathe this morning in the

waters of the river!”

The old woman, who had been transformed into a beautiful young girl, and

of whose former appearance no trace remained, embraced the man with the

lamp with tender caresses, which he returned with affection.

“If I am too old for you,” he said with a smile, “you may to-day select

another bridegroom; for no tie can henceforth be considered binding

which is not this day renewed.”

“But are you not aware that you also have become young?” she inquired.

“I am delighted to hear it,” he replied. “If I appear to you to be a

gallant youth, I take your hand anew, and hope for a thousand years of

happiness.”

The Queen welcomed her new friend, and advanced with her and the rest of

her companions to the altar: whilst the King, supported by the two men,

pointed to the bridge, and surveyed with wonder the crowd of passengers;

but his joy was soon overshadowed by observing an object which gave him

pain. The Giant, who had just awakened from his morning sleep, stumbled

over the bridge, and gave rise to the greatest confusion. He was, as

usual, but half awake, and had risen with the intention of bathing in

the neighboring cove; but he stumbled instead upon firm land, and found

himself feeling his way upon the broad highway of the bridge. And,

whilst he went clumsily along in the midst of men and animals, his

presence, though a matter of astonishment to all, was felt by none; but

when the sun shone in his eyes, and he raised his hand to shade them,

the shadow of his enormous fist fell amongst the crowd with such

careless violence, that both men and animals huddled together in

promiscuous confusion, and either sustained personal injury, or ran the

risk of being driven into the water.

The King, observing this calamity, with an involuntary movement placed

his hand upon his sword, but, upon reflection, turned his eyes on his

sceptre, and then on the lamp and the rudder of his companions.

“I guess your thought,” said the man with the lamp, “but we are

powerless against this monster: be tranquil; he injures for the last

time, and happily his shadow is turned from us.”

In the mean time the Giant had approached, and, overpowered with

astonishment at what he saw, let his hands sink down: he became

powerless for injury, and, gazing with surprise, entered the court-yard.

He was moving straight towards the door of the temple, when he felt

himself suddenly held fast to the earth. He stood like a colossal pillar

constructed of red, shining stones; and his shadow indicated the hours,

which were marked in a circle on the ground, not, however, in figures,

but in noble and significant effigies.

The King was not a little delighted to see the shadow of the monster

rendered harmless; and the Queen was not less astonished, as she

advanced from the altar with her maidens, all adorned with the greatest

magnificence, to observe the strange wonder which almost covered the

whole prospect from the temple to the bridge.

In the mean time the people had crowded after the Giant, and,

surrounding him as he stood still, had observed his transformation with

the utmost awe. They thence bent their steps towards the temple, of the

existence of which they now seemed to be for the first time aware, and

thronged the doorways.

The hawk was now observed aloft, towering over the building, and

carrying the mirror, with which he caught the light of the sun, and

turned the rays upon the multifarious group which stood around the

altar. The King, the Queen, and their attendants, illumined by heavenly

light, appeared beneath the dim arches of the temple: their subjects

fell prostrate before them. When they had recovered, and risen again,

the King and his attendants had descended to the altar, in order to

reach his palace by a less obstructed path; and the people dispersed

through the temple to satisfy their curiosity. They beheld with

astonishment the three kings, who stood erect, and were all the more

anxious to know what could be concealed behind the curtain in the fourth

niche; since, whatever kindness might have prompted the deed, a

thoughtful discretion had extended a costly covering over the ruins of

the fallen king, which no eye cared to penetrate, and no profane hand

dared to uplift.

There was no end to the astonishment and wonder of the people, and the

dense throng would have been crushed in the temple if their attention

had not been attracted once more to the court without.

To their great surprise, a shower of gold pieces fell as if from the

air, resounding upon the marble pavement, and caused a contest and

commotion amongst the passers-by. Several times this wonder was repeated

in different places, at some distance from each other. It is not

difficult to infer that this feat was the work of the retreating

Will-o’-the-wisps, who, having extracted the gold from the limbs of the

mutilated King, dispersed it abroad in this joyous manner. The covetous

crowd continued their contentions for some time longer, pressing hither

and thither, and inflicting wounds upon each other, till the shower of

gold pieces ceased to fall. The multitude at length dispersed gradually,

each one pursuing his own course; and the bridge, to this day, continues

to swarm with travellers; and the temple is the most frequented in the

world.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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=Adam Bede.= By George Eliot.

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=Averil.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Bacon’s Essays.= By Francis Bacon.

=Barbara Heathcote’s Trial.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Barnaby Rudge.= By Charles Dickens.

=Berber, The.= By W. S. Mayo.

=Betrothed, The.= By Allessandro Manzoni.

=Bleak House.= By Charles Dickens.

=Bondman, The.= By Hall Caine.

=Bride of the Nile, The.= By George Ebers.

=Burgomaster’s Wife, The.= By George Ebers.

=Cast up by the Sea.= By Sir Samuel Baker.

=Caxtons, The.= By Bulwer-Lytton.

=Charles Auchester.= By E. Berger.

=Charles O’Malley.= By Charles Lever.

=Children of the Abbey.= By Regina Maria Roche.

=Children of Gibeon.= By Walter Besant.

=Child’s History of England.= By Charles Dickens.

=Christmas Stories.= By Charles Dickens.

=Cloister and the Hearth.= By Charles Reade.

=Confessions of an Opium-Eater.= By Thomas De Quincey.

=Consuelo.= By George Sand.

=Corinne.= By Madame De Stael.

=Countess of Rudolstadt.= By George Sand.

=Cousin Pons.= By Honore de Balzac.

=Cranford.= By Mrs. Gaskell.

=Crown of Wild Olive, The.= By John Ruskin.

=Daniel Deronda.= By George Eliot.

=Daughter of an Empress, The.= By Louisa Muhlbach.

=Daughter of Heth, A.= By Wm. Black.

=David Copperfield.= By Charles Dickens.

=Deemster, The.= By Hall Caine.

=Deerslayer, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Dombey & Son.= By Charles Dickens.

=Donal Grant.= By George Macdonald.

=Donald Ross of Heimra.= By William Black.

=Donovan.= By Edna Lyall.

=Dream Life.= By Ik. Marvel.

=East Lynne.= By Mrs. Henry Wood.

=Egoist, The.= By George Meredith.

=Egyptian Princess, An.= By George Ebers.

=Eight Years Wandering in Ceylon.= By Sir Samuel Baker.

=Emerson’s Essays.= By Ralph Waldo Emerson.

=Emperor, The.= By George Ebers.

=Essays of Elia.= By Charles Lamb.

=Esther.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Far from the Madding Crowd.= By Thos. Hardy.

=Felix Holt.= By George Eliot.

=Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World.= By E. S. Creasy.

=File No. 113.= By Emile Gaboriau.

=First Violin.= By Jessie Fothergill.

=For Faith and Freedom.= By Walter Besant.

=Frederick the Great, and His Court.= By Louisa Muhlbach.

=French Revolution.= By Thomas Carlyle.

=From the Earth to the Moon.= By Jules Verne.

=Goethe and Schiller.= By Louisa Muhlbach.

=Gold Bug, The, and Other Tales.= by Edgar A. Poe.

=Gold Elsie.= By E. Marlitt.

=Great Expectations.= By Charles Dickens.

=Great Taboo, The.= By Grant Allen.

=Great Treason, A.= By Mary Hoppus.

=Green Mountain Boys, The.= By D. P. Thompson.

=Grimm’s Household Tales.= By the Brothers Grimm.

=Grimm’s Popular Tales.= By the Brothers Grimm.

=Gulliver’s Travels.= By Dean Swift.

=Handy Andy.= By Samuel Lover.

=Hardy Norseman, A.= By Edna Lyall.

=Harold.= By Bulwer-Lytton.

=Harry Lorrequer.= By Charles Lever.

=Heir of Redclyffe.= By Charlotte M. Yonge.

=Henry Esmond.= By William M. Thackeray.

=Her Dearest Foe.= By Mrs. Alexander.

=Heriot’s Choice.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Heroes and Hero Worship.= By Thomas Carlyle.

=History of Pendennis.= By William M. Thackeray.

=House of the Seven Gables.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne.

=How to be Happy Though Married.=

=Hunchback of Notre Dame.= By Victor Hugo.

=Hypatia.= By Charles Kingsley.

=Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow.= By Jerome K. Jerome.

=In Far Lochaber.= By William Black.

=In the Golden Days.= By Edna Lyall.

=In the Heart of the Storm.= By Maxwell Grey.

=It is Never Too Late to Mend.= By Charles Reade.

=Ivanhoe.= By Sir Walter Scott.

=Jack’s Courtship.= by W. Clark Russell

=Jane Eyre.= By Charlotte Bronte.

=John Halifax, Gentleman.= By Miss Muloch.

=Kenilworth.= By Sir Walter Scott.

=Kit and Kitty.= By R. D. Blackmore.

=Kith and Kin.= By Jessie Fothergill.

=Knickerbocker’s History of New York.= By Washington Irving.

=Knight Errant.= By Edna Lyall.

=L’Abbe Constantin.= By Ludovic-Halevy.

=Lamplighter, The.= By Maria S. Cummins.

=Last Days of Pompeii.= By Bulwer-Lytton.

=Last of the Barons.= By Bulwer-Lytton.

=Last of the Mohicans.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Light of Asia, The.= By Sir Edwin Arnold.

=Little Dorrit.= By Charles Dickens.

=Lorna Doone.= By R. D. Blackmore.

=Louise de la Valliere.= By Alexandre Dumas.

=Lover or Friend?= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Lucile.= By Owen Meredith.

=Maid of Sker.= By R. D. Blackmore.

=Man and Wife.= By Wilkie Collins.

=Man in the Iron Mask.= By Alexandre Dumas.

=Martin Chuzzlewit.= By Charles Dickens.

=Mary St. John.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Master of Ballantrae, The.= By R. L. Stevenson.

=Master of the Ceremonies, The.= By G. M. Fenn.

=Masterman Ready.= By Captain Marryat.

=Merle’s Crusade.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Micah Clarke.= By A. Conan Doyle.

=Michael Strogoff.= By Jules Verne.

=Middlemarch.= By George Eliot.

=Midshipman Easy.= By Captain Marryat.

=Mill on the Floss.= By George Eliot.

=Molly Bawn.= By The Duchess.

=Moonstone, The.= By Wilkie Collins.

=Mosses from an Old Manse.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne.

=Mysterious Island, The.= By Jules Verne.

=Natural Law in the Spiritual World.= By Henry Drummond.

=Nellie’s Memories.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Newcomes, The.= By William M. Thackeray.

=Nicholas Nickleby.= By Charles Dickens.

=No Name.= By Wilkie Collins.

=Not Like Other Girls.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Old Curiosity Shop.= By Charles Dickens.

=Old Ma’m’selle’s Secret.= By E. Marlitt.

=Old Myddelton’s Money.= By Mary Cecil Hay.

=Oliver Twist.= By Charles Dickens.

=Only the Governess.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=On the Heights.= By Berthold Auerbac.

=Our Bessie.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Our Mutual Friend.= By Charles Dickens.

=Pair of Blue Eyes, A.= By Thomas Hardy.

=Past and Present.= By Thomas Carlyle.

=Pathfinder, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Pere Goriot.= By Honore de Balzac.

=Phantom Rickshaw, The.= By Rudyard Kipling.

=Phra, the Phœnician.= By Edwin L. Arnold.

=Picciola.= By X. B. Saintine.

=Pickwick Papers.= By Charles Dickens.

=Pilgrim’s Progress.= By John Bunyan.

=Pilot, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Pioneers, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Prairie, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Pride and Prejudice.= By Jane Austen.

=Prime Minister, The.= By Anthony Trollope.

=Princess of Thule, A.= By Wm. Black.

=Professor, The.= By Charlotte Bronte.

=Put Yourself in His Place.= By Charles Reade.

=Queen Hortense.= By Louisa Muhlbach.

=Queenie’s Whim.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Ralph the Heir.= By Anthony Trollope.

=Red Rover.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Reproach of Annesley.= By Maxwell Grey.

=Reveries of a Bachelor.= By Ik. Marvel.

=Rhoda Fleming.= By George Meredith.

=Ride to Khiva, A.= By Captain Fred Burnaby.

=Rienzi.= By Bulwer-Lytton.

=Robinson Crusoe.= By Daniel Defoe.

=Rob Roy.= By Sir Walter Scott.

=Romance of a Poor Young Man.= By Octave Feuillet.

=Romance of Two Worlds.= By Marie Corelli.

=Romola.= By George Eliot.

=Rory O’More.= By Samuel Lover.

=Sartor Resartus.= By Thomas Carlyle.

=Scarlet Letter, The.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne.

=Scottish Chiefs.= By Jane Porter.

=Search for Basil Lyndhurst.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Second Wife, The.= By E. Marlitt.

=Self-Help.= By Samuel Smiles.

=Sense and Sensibility.= By Jane Austen.

=Sesame and Lilies.= By John Ruskin.

=Shadow of the Sword.= By Robert Buchanan.

=Shirley.= By Charlotte Bronte.

=Silas Marner.= By George Eliot.

=Silence of Dean Maitland.= By Maxwell Grey.

=Sketch-Book, The.= By Washington Irving.

=Social Departure, A.= By Sara Jeannette Duncan.

=Soldiers Three, etc.= By Rudyard Kipling.

=Springhaven.= By R. D. Blackmore.

=Spy, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=St. Katharine’s by the Tower.= By Walter Besant.

=Story of an African Farm.= By Olive Schreiner.

=Swiss Family Robinson.= By Jean Rudolph Wyss.

=Tale of Two Cities.= By Charles Dickens.

=Talisman, The.= By Sir Walter Scott.

=Tartarin of Tarascon.= By Alphonse Daudet.

=Tempest Tossed.= By Theodore Tilton.

=Ten Years Later.= By Alexandre Dumas.

=Terrible Temptation, A.= By Charles Reade.

=Thaddeus of Warsaw.= By Jane Porter.

=Thelma.= By Marie Corelli.

=Three Guardsmen.= By Alexandre Dumas.

=Three Men in a Boat.= By Jerome K. Jerome.

=Tom Brown at Oxford.= By Thomas Hughes.

=Tom Brown’s School Days.= By Thomas Hughes.

=Tom Burke of “Ours.”= By Charles Lever.

=Tour of the World in Eighty Days, A.= By Jules Verne.

=Treasure Island.= By Robert Louis Stevenson.

=Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.= By Jules Verne.

=Twenty Years After.= By Alexandre Dumas.

=Twice Told Tales.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne.

=Two Admirals.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Two Chiefs of Dunboy.= By James A. Froude.

=Two on a Tower.= By Thomas Hardy.

=Two Years Before the Mast.= By R. H. Dana, Jr.

=Uarda.= By George Ebers.

=Uncle Max.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Uncle Tom’s Cabin.= By Harriet Beecher Stowe.

=Undine and Other Tales.= By De la Motte Fouque.

=Vanity Fair.= By William M. Thackeray.

=Vicar of Wakefield.= By Oliver Goldsmith.

=Villette.= By Charlotte Bronte.

=Virginians, The.= By William M. Thackeray.

=Vicomte de Bragelonne.= By Alexandre Dumas.

=Vivian Grey.= By Benjamin Disraeli.

=Water Witch, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Waverly.= By Sir Walter Scott.

=Wee Wifie.= By Rosa N. Carey.

=Westward Ho!= By Charles Kingsley.

=We Two.= By Edna Lyall.

=What’s Mine’s Mine.= By George Macdonald.

=When a Man’s Single.= By J. M. Barrie.

=White Company, The.= By A. Conan Doyle.

=Wide, Wide World.= By Susan Warner.

=Widow Lerouge, The.= By Emilie Gaboriau.

=Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship.= By Goethe (Carlyle).

=Wing-and-Wing.= By James Fenimore Cooper.

=Woman in White, The.= By Wilkie Collins.

=Won by Waiting.= By Edna Lyall.

=Wooing O’t.= By Mrs. Alexander.

=World Went Very Well Then, The.= By Walter Besant.

=Wormwood.= By Marie Corelli.

=Wreck of the Grosvenor, The.= By W. Clark Russell.

=Zenobia.= By William Ware.

---------------------------------------

_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of

price by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, New York=._

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE ALGER SERIES for BOYS

=Uniform with This Volume.=

This series affords wholesome reading for boys and girls, and all the

volumes are extremely interesting.--_Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette._

=JOE’S LUCK; or, A Brave Boy’s Adventure in California.= By HORATIO

ALGER, JR.

=JULIAN MORTIMER; or, A Brave Boy’s Struggles for Home and Fortune.= By

HARRY CASTLEMON.

=ADRIFT IN THE WILDS; or, The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys.= By

EDWARD S. ELLIS.

=FRANK FOWLER, THE CASH BOY.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR.

=GUY HARRIS, THE RUNAWAY.= By HARRY CASTLEMON.

=THE SLATE-PICKER; A Story of a Boy’s Life in the Coal Mines.= By HARRY

PRENTICE.

=TOM TEMPLE’S CAREER.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR.

=TOM, THE READY; or, Up from the Lowest.= By RANDOLPH HILL.

=THE CASTAWAYS; or, On the Florida Reefs.= By JAMES OTIS.

=CAPTAIN KIDD’S GOLD. The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy.= By

JAMES FRANKLIN FITTS.

=TOM THATCHER’S FORTUNE.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR.

=LOST IN THE CANON. The Story of Sam Willett’s Adventures on the Great

Colorado of the West.= By ALFRED R. CALHOUN.

=A YOUNG HERO; or, Fighting to Win.= By EDWARD S. ELLIS.

=THE ERRAND BOY; or, How Phil Brent Won Success.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR.

=THE ISLAND TREASURE; or, Harry Darrel’s Fortune.= By FRANK H.

CONVERSE.

=A RUNAWAY BRIG; or, An Accidental Cruise.= By JAMES OTIS.

=A JAUNT THROUGH JAVA. The Story of a Journey to the Sacred Mountain by

Two American Boys.= By E. S. ELLIS.

=CAPTURED BY APES; or, How Philip Garland Became King of Apeland.= By

HARRY PRENTICE.

=TOM THE BOOT-BLACK; or, The Road to Success.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR.

=ROY GILBERT’S SEARCH. A Tale of the Great Lakes.= By WILLIAM P.

CHIPMAN.

=THE TREASURE-FINDERS. A Boy’s Adventures in Nicaragua.= By JAMES OTIS.

=BUDD BOYD’S TRIUMPH; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island.= By WILLIAM P.

CHIPMAN.

=TONY, THE HERO; or, A Brave Boy’s Adventures with a ramp.= By HORATIO

ALGER, JR.

=CAPTURED BY ZULUS. A Story of Trapping in Africa.= By HARRY PRENTICE.

=THE TRAIN BOY.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR.

=DAN THE NEWSBOY.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR.

=SEARCH FOR THE SILVER CITY. A Story of Adventure in Yucatan.= By JAMES

OTIS.

=THE BOY CRUISERS; or, Paddling in Florida.= By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE

---------------------------------------

_=The above stories are printed on extra paper, and bound in Handsome

Cloth Binding, in all respects uniform with this volume, at $1.00 per

copy.=_

---------------------------------------

_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of

price, by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, 66 Reade St., New York=._

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE FIRESIDE SERIES FOR GIRLS.

[Illustration: line drawing of a book]

=Uniform Cloth Binding.=

A carefully selected series of books for girls written by authors of

acknowledged reputation. The stories are deeply interesting in

themselves, and have a moral charm that emanates from the principal

characters; they teach without preaching, are of lively interest

throughout, and will win the hearts of all girl readers.

=Esther.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=A World of Girls: The Story of a School.= By L. T. MEADE. Illustrated.

Price, $1.00.

=The Heir of Redclyffe.= By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. Illustrated. Price,

$1.00.

=The Story of a Short Life.= By JULIANA HORATIO EWING. Illustrated.

Price, $1.00.

=A Sweet Girl Graduate.= By L. T. MEADE. Illustrated. Price, 1.00.

=Our Bessie.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=Six to Sixteen: A Story for Girls.= By JULIANA HORATIO EWING.

Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=The Dove in the Eagle’s Nest.= By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. Illustrated.

Price, $1.00.

=Giannetta: A Girl’s Story of Herself.= By ROSA MULHOLLAND.

Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=Jan of the Windmill: A Story of the Plains.= By JULIANA HORATIO WING.

Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=Averil.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through a Looking-Glass.= Two volumes in

one. By LEWIS CARROLL. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=Merle’s Crusade.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=Girl Neighbors; or, The Old Fashion and the New.= By SARAH TYTLER.

Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=Polly: A New Fashioned Girl.= By L. T. MEADE. Illustrated. Price,

$1.00.

=Aunt Diana.= By ROSA N. CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=The Water Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby.= By CHARLES KINGSLEY.

Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=At the Back of the North Wind.= By GEORGE MACDONALD. Illustrated.

Price, $1.00.

=The Chaplet of Pearls; or, The White and Black Ribaumont.= By

CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

=The Days of Bruce: A Story of Scottish History.= By GRACE AGUILAR.

Illustrated. Price, $1.00.

---------------------------------------

_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on the receipt

of price by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, New York=._

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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=Dr. Danelson’s Counselor, with Recipes.= A trusty guide for the family.

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=What Every One Should Know.= A cyclopedia of Practical Information,

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“Crowded full and even running over with proper and effective words must

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convenience and assistance to him.”--_The Delineator._

=Etiquette, Health and Beauty.= Comprising “THE USAGES OF THE BEST

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=The National Standard Dictionary.= A pronouncing lexicon of the English

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“A convenient and useful book. Clear in typography, convenient in size.

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=The Usages of the Best Society.= A manual of social etiquette. By

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=Talks With Homely Girls on Health and Beauty.= Their Preservation and

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=Friendly Chats With Girls.= A series of talks on manners, duty,

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=The Art of Letter Writing.= A manual of polite correspondence,

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=Ladies’ Fancy Work.= New Revised Edition, giving designs and plain

directions for all kinds of Fancy Needle-Work. Edited by JENNY JUNE. 700

illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents.

“I have examined carefully the beautifully printed manuals edited by

Mrs. Croly [Jenny June], whose work here, as elsewhere, is as careful

and thorough as she has taught us to expect. They will be invaluable to

all needle-workers, and deserve the success they will most undoubtedly

obtain.”--_Mrs. Helen Campbell._

=Knitting and Crochet.= A guide to the use of the Needle and the Hook.

Edited by JENNY JUNE. 200 illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents.

“... I cannot think of a more useful present for young housekeepers and

mothers, who can gain much important information from these books to aid

in decorating their homes and to trim their clothing tastefully.”--_Mrs.

Henry Ward Beecher._

=Needle-Work.= A manual of stitches and studies in embroidery and drawn

work. Edited by JENNY JUNE. 200 illustrations, Paper cover, price 50

cents.

“I do not hesitate to pronounce Mrs. Croly’s works on Needle-Work and

Knitting and Crochet the best manuals on those subjects that I have ever

seen. They are charming reading, us well as useful guides to housewife

and needle-woman.”--_Marion Harland._

=Letters and Monograms.= For marking on Silk, Linen and other fabrics,

for individuals and household use. Edited by JENNY JUNE. 1,000

illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents.

“I am greatly pleased with the Manuals of Art Needle-Work so charmingly

edited by Mrs. Croly [Jenny June]. Mrs. Croly’s manuals will reveal

treasures to many a woman who distrusts herself, but soon the worker

will take courage as her perceptions are cultivated, and with patience

and holding fast to the truths in nature, ‘patterns’ will come of

themselves to fit the uses intended. Embroidery, however, is a real

enjoyment to me, and I am glad to aid all efforts to popularize such

work.”--_Mrs. Gen. Fremont._

---------------------------------------

_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of

price, by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, 66 Reade Street, New York=._

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transcriber’s Notes

This file uses _underscores_ to indicate italic text and =equals signs=

to indicate boldface text. New original cover art included with this

eBook is granted to the public domain. Itemized changes from the

original text:

• p. 9: Changed “iuquire” to “inquire” in phrase “caused him to inquire

concerning objects which, but for this, he would have passed without

notice.”

• p. 9: Added comma after phrase “Felix still never shut the door

behind him.”

• p. 26: Added semicolon after phrase “A love for you, my friend, was

already keen and powerful in her little heart.”

• p. 43: Added comma before phrase “Well, my friend, how it is with

you?”

• p. 43: Added period after phrase “upon the sofa, where he had first

found Natalia.”

• p. 62: Added period after phrase “now appeared to him another piece

of artifice.”

• p. 78: Changed “herelf” to “herself” in phrase “begging of her to be

careful of herself and of her child.”

• p. 78: Added period after phrase “as a sort of sin against nature, as

a sort of incest.”

• p. 93: Changed “clappling” to “clapping” in phrase “clapping both his

hands upon his eyes.”

• p. 98: Changed “answerd” to “answered” in phrase “I know not the

worth of a kingdom, answered Wilhelm.”

• p. 110: Added period after phrase “So she, too, is Mary! said Wilhelm

inwardly.”

• p. 144: Changed “loing” to “lying” in phrase “all at once she was

lying at my feet, had seized my hand, kissed it, and was looking up

to me.”

• p. 145: Changed “imporunate” to “importunate” in phrase “their

presence effaced the image of my importunate petitioner.”

• p. 146: Added period after phrase “at last he became silent

altogether.”

• p. 155: Added period after phrase “Wilhelm admired the figure and its

strange combination.”

• p. 159: Changed “measurement sand” to “measurements and” in phrase

“by copying precise measurements and accurately settled numbers.”

• p. 176: Changed “harpischord” to “harpsichord” in phrase “in the

evening, after supper, Hilaria returned to her harpsichord.”

• p. 201: Removed closing quotation mark after phrase “a perilous

employment to the wild-hay-men.”

• p. 209: Moved comma from before to after “music” in phrase “As, among

the instrumental music, singing was now introduced.”

• p. 210: Changed “moveover” to “moreover” in phrase “Our wanderer was

struck, moreover, by the earnestness.”

• p. 241: Added opening quotation mark before phrase “Next morning, in

high spirits and full of love.”

• p. 262: Changed “afterward sthe” to “afterwards the” in phrase

“directly afterwards the two ladies went out.”

• p. 265: Removed comma in phrase “But as the longest day at last bends

down to evening.”

• p. 266: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “Antoni is gone to

hunt; we will do the same.”

• p. 281: Changed “women” to “woman” in phrase “this was a thing which

no young woman could forgive.”

• p. 298: Added period after phrase “they pray for a more equal

division of labor and enjoyment.”

• p. 298: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “that evil hour

which must destroy, perhaps forever, their fondest anticipations.”

• p. 357: Changed “hopd” to “hoped” in phrase “he hoped to be

successful upon a second occasion.”

• p. 309: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “we shall pay

attention and be thankful.”

• p. 360: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “I promise to

relate a fairy-tale this evening that will amuse you all.”

• p. 367: Added period after phrase “answered the old man, very

quietly.”

• p. 382: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “allowing me to

hear this comforting word for the third time.”

• p. 382: Changed “though” to “through” in phrase “beams and broken

rafters burst in disjointed fragments through the opening of the

cupola.”

• Advertisements: Changed “Willliam” to “William” in listing for “The

Virginians.”

• Advertisements: Changed “Nicarauga” to “Nicaragua” in listing for

“The Treasure-Finders.”

A number of missing periods, commas and decimal points were also

supplied in the advertisements at the back of the book.