THE INVISIBLE PRINCE. 337

easily know the second. She gave a loud shriek, and looking
upon Abricotina, “There have appeared of late,” said she, “so
many wonders in this place, that I know not what to think of
them ; my birds are all grown witty ; I cannot so much as
wish, but presently I have my desires ; twice have I now seen
the portrait of him who rescued thee from the ruffians ; and
here are silks of all sorts, diamonds, embroideries, laces, and an
infinite number of other raritics. What fairy is it that takes
such care to do me these agreeable services?” Leander was
overjoyed to hear and sce her so much concerned about his pic-
ture, and calling to mind that there was in a grotto which she
often frequented a certain pedestal, on which a Diana, not yet
finished, was to be erected ; on this pedestal he resolved to
place himself in an extraordinary habit, crowned with laurel,
and holding a lyre in his hand, on which he played like another
Apollo. He most anxiously waited the princess's retiring to
this grotto, which she did every day, since her thoughts had
been taken up with this unknown person ; for what Abricotina
had said, joined to the sight of the picture, had almost quite
destroyed her repose; her brisk lively humour changed into a
pensite melancholy, and she grew a great lover of solitude.
When she entered the grotto, she made a sign that nobody
should follow her; so. that
her young damsels dispersed
themselves into the neigh-
bouring walks. The princess
threw herself upon a bank of
green turf, sighed, wept, and §
even talked, but so softly,
that Leander could not hear
what she said. He had put
his red cap on, that she might