THE INVISIBLE PRIN 335

  

“ Thou pretendest surprise,” said the princess, “ but I know it
was thou thyself that put it there.”—‘ Who, I, madam?” re-
plied Abrocotina; “1 protest, madam, I never saw the picture
before in my life. Should 1 be so bold as to conceal from your
knowledge a thing that so nearly concerns you? And by what
miracle could I come by it? 1 never could paint ; nor did any
man ever enter this place: yet here he is painted with you.”
— Some spirit then must “have brought it hither,” cried the
prinerss.— How I tremble for fear, nadam,” said Abricotina,
“was it not rather some lover? And therefore, if you will take
my advice, let us burn it immediately."—“« 'Twere a pity to
burn it,” cried the princess, sighing: “a finer piece, methinks,
cannot adorn my cabinet.” And saying these words, she cast
her eyes upon But Abricotina continued obstinate in her
opinion that it ought to be burnt, as a thing that could not
come there, but by the power of magic. ‘* And these words,
«She is better in my heart,”

said the princess, “must we burn them too?”—“ No favour
must be shown to anything,” said Abricotina, “not even to
your own portrait.” Abricotina ran away immediately for
some fire, while the princess went to look out at the window,
no longer able to behold a picture that made such a deep im-
pression in her heart. But Leander being unwilling to let his
performance he burnt, took this opportunity to convey it away
without being perceived. And he was hardly got out of the
cabinet, when the princess turned about to look once more upon
that enchanting picture which so infinitely pleased her. But
how strangely. was she surprised to find it gone! She sought
for it all the room over; and Abricotina returning, she asked
her whether she knew what was become of it? But she was
no less surprised than her mistress ; so that this last adventure
put them both into the must terrible fright.