1] : THE LOST PRINCE. 65

 

approached Pettina, under whose sleeve the Blue-
bottle fly had carefully hidden himself.

_ ‘Now, my vixen,’ he said, ‘you are under my care
for the day, so you had better behave yourself. When
the Giant has slain and captured your friends, you
will see what fools you and your sister have been to
come on this wild-goose chase after your brother.’

‘Wild-goose chase, indeed!’ retorted Pettina; ‘ you
had better take care you don’t have to deal with
swans instead of geese.’

As she spoke she glanced at the windows, and
saw the swan army rapidly approaching the castle,
while the shouts upon the other side told that the
army of white horsemen were already engaged with
the Giant’s people. Irritated by her words, the Dwarf
approached close to her and raised his hand as if to
bestow upon her the undignified rebuke of a slap on
the cheek. The indignant Trincess stepped hastily
backwards, exclaiming as she did so—‘ Ri-too-ri-lal-
lural!’ :

‘That cock won't fight, my pert miss,’ cried the
Dwarf ; and advancing a step nearer, actually aimed a
blow at her fair cheek with his wicked hand.

‘Fol-de-rol-liddle !’ cried the girl in an alarmed
tone as he did so.

The effect was magical—the blow fell short, but the
hand of the little man dropped lightly upon her arm,
and in so doing shook the bluebottle fly out upon the
floor. Hardly had he touched it when he assumed
his proper shape once again. Macklethorpe started
back at the sight ; magical power was suspended for
the moment before the force of natural instincts, and

F