Page 91 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

drowning in the fountain: its feathers were
quite wet, it had lost all power, and was
sinking to the bottom of the basin. Cheri took
pity on it, and saved it. At first, he held it by
its feet, for it had swallowed so much water, it
was quite swollen; he then warmed it in his
bosom, dried its wings with a fine
handkerchief, and treated it with such skill

that the poor dove, in a few minutes, was
more gay than she had just been
sorrowful."My Lord Cheri," she said, in sweet
and gentle accents, "you never obliged a more
grateful little creature than I am; this is not the
first time I have received essential favours
from your family. I am enchanted, that, in my

turn, I can be of service to you. Think not that
I am ignorant of the cause of your journey,—
you have undertaken it a little rashly, for it
would be impossible to say how many have
perished here! The dancing water is the eighth
wonder in the world for ladies; it beautifies
them, makes them young again, and enriches
them; but if I were not to be your guide, you
would never arrive at it, for the spring rises in

the middle of the forest, and gushing out
violently, precipitates itself into a _

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