128 PRINCE RICARDO.

 

in the world began to howl. When the moon
shone again, the princess rose and put out the
two white lights, and drew the curtains; and
presently she went to bed.

“* Now I knowall about it,” she said. ‘‘ It is
clever; everything the king does is clever, and
he is so kind that I daresay he does not mean
any harm. But it seemsa cruel trick to play on
poor Ricardo. However, Jaqueline is on the
watch, and I’ll show them a girl can do more
than people think,’’—as, indeed, she could.

After meditating in this way, the princess fell
asleep, and did not waken till her maid came
to call her.

“Oh! your Royal Highness, what’s this on
the floor ?”’ said the faithful Rosina, as she was
arranging the princess’s things for her to get up.

‘* Why, what is it ?”? asked the princess.

‘‘Ever so many—four, five, six, seven—little
shining drops of silver lying on the carpet, as
if they had melted and fallen there!”

‘“They have not hurt the carpet?” said the
princess. “Oh dear! the queen won’t be
pleased at all. It was a little chemical experi-
ment I was trying last night.”

But she knew very well that she must have
dropped seven drops of the enchanted water.

“No, your Royal Highness, the carpet is not
harmed,” said Rosina; ‘only your Royal
Highness should do these things in the labora-
tory. Her Majesty has often spoke about it.”