THE SPIRIT OF THE STEPPES 189

themselves on the high-road, while a perfumed cloud seemed
to float over the steppes. The queen stepped into her carriage
with her ladies, and so the journey was continued.

But from that day the beautiful queen and her maids
became thoughtful and sad; and, losing all pleasure in travel,
went back to the capital. Yet the return home did not make
the queen happy, for always before her eyes she saw the
Horseman of the Steppes. This displeased the king, who
became gloomy and ill-tempered.

One day while the king was on his throne in the council
chamber he suddenly heard the sweetest warblings, like unto
those produced by a bird of paradise; these were answered
by the songs of many nightingales. Wondering, he sent to
find out what it was. The messenger returned saying that
the queen and her twelve maids of honour had each been
presented with a girl baby, and that the sweet warblings were
but the crying of the children. The king was greatly aston-
ished, and while he was engaged in deep thought about the
matter the palace was suddenly lit up by lights of dazzling
brightness. On inquiring into the cause he learnt that the
little princess had opened her eyes, and that they shone with
matchless brilliancy.

At first the king could not speak, so amazed was he. He
laughed and he cried, he sorrowed and he rejoiced, and in
the midst of it all a deputation of ministers and senators was
announced. When these were shown into his presence they
fell on their knees, and striking the ground with their fore-
heads, said, “Sire, save your people and your royal person.
The queen and her twelve maids of honour have been presented
by the Spirit of the Steppes with thirteen girl babies. We