SOVEREIGN OF THE MINERAL KINGDOM 53

she laid her head upon her pillow and tried in vain to sleep.
In the morning, when her daughter was dressing, she said:
“Well, my dear, you were dreaming again last night, and
laughing like a maniac.”

“Was I? Listen, I dreamt a nobleman came for me
in a silver carriage, and gave me a golden diadem. When
I entered the church with him, the people admired and
worshipped me more than the Blessed Virgin.”

“Ay me, what a terrible dream! what a wicked dream!
Pray God not to lead you into temptation.”

Then she scolded her daughter severely and went out,
slamming the door after her. That same day a carriage drove
into the village, and some gentlemen invited mother and
daughter to share the bread of the lord of the manor. The
mother considered such an offer a great honour, but the
daughter refused it and replied to the gentlemen scornfully :
“Even if you had come to fetch me in a carriage of solid
silver and had presented me with a golden diadem, I would
never have consented to be the wife of your lord.”

The gentlemen turned away in disgust and returned home ;
the mother rebuked her severely for so much pride.

“Miserable, foolish girl!” she cried, “pride is a breath
from hell. It is your duty to be humble, honest, and sweet-
tempered.”

The daughter replied by a laugh.

The third night she slept soundly, but the poor woman at
her side could not close her eyes. Tormented with dark fore-
bodings, she feared some misfortune was about to happen,
and counted her beads, praying fervently. All at once the
young sleeper began to sneer and laugh.