THE INVISIBLE PRINCE. 321

and deplorable, that I cannot forbear to ask the cause of your
sorrow, assuring you of every assistance that lies in my power.”
—* Oh, sir,” answered the young man, ‘nothing can remedy
my miseries ; this day my dear mistress is to be sacrificed to an
old jealous barbarian, who hasa great estate, but who will make
her the most miserable person in the world.”—“ Does she love
you then?” said Leander. “I flatter myself so,” answered the
young man. “ Where is she,” continued Leander. “In a castle
at the end of this forest,” answered the lover. “ Very well,” said
Leander ; “stay you here till 1 come again, and in a little while
1 will bring you good news.” He then put on his little red cap,
and wished himself in the castle. He had hardly got thither
before he heard the pleasing sound of soft music ; but when he
arrived the whole castle resounded with all sorts of music; he
entered into a great room, where the friends and kindred of the
old man and young lady were assembled. Nothing could be
more amiable than she was ; but the paleness of her complexion,
the melancholy that appeared in her countenance, and the tears
that now and then dropt, as it were by stealth, from her eyes,
discovered the trouble of her mind.

Leander now became invisible, and placed himself in a corner
of the room, that he might discover who the persons were and
he soon perceived the father and mother
of the maid, by their private chiding
her for not appearing with the spright-
liness of a bride ; which, after they had
done, they returned to their seats.
Leander placed himself behind the }'[&
mother’s chair, and laying his lips to
her ear, “Assure yourself,” said he,
“that if you compel your daughter to
give her consent to marry that old dotard, before eight days are

r