10 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [I.

 

suffered was something totally opposed to those first
principles which taught the monarchs and great
people of those days that upon them and their hap-
piness the whole world hinged and depended, and
there might well have been Kings who would have
resented such an unnatural condition of things, and
have turned their wrath upon those who dared thus to
thrive during their sorrow. But, being a philosopher,
this worthy Prince only saw in the circumstances of
his country another proof of the heartlessness and infe-
riority of the common herd, who had not indeed the
graceto suffer with their ruler, but were on that account
rather to be pitied and despised than punished.
With great magnanimity, therefore, he endured the
prosperity of his people, and visited upon them the
callous indifference to his sorrow which they showed
in this practical manner, in no other way than by the
imposition of a few more taxes, in order to defray the
expenses consequent upon the continued inquiries
after the lost Prince.

Things went on in this manner for some time;
year after year slipped away, no more children were
born to the Royal couple, and it seemed as if the
kingdom would pass, after their decease, into the pos-
session of their two daughters, of whom it is now high
time to make mention.

Malvina and Pettina were two beautiful Princesses,
though their style was somewhat different. Malvina
was a queenly creature; tall, but not too tall, with
raven hair, finely-cut features, and dark eyes that
flashed brightly as lightning on asummer’seve. Her
temper was perhaps just a little imperious, but then