Page 94 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

Prince leapt lightly upon his back, quite proud
at possessing the dancing water. "Gentle
Dove," said he, as he held her, "I know not by
what miracle you have so much authority in
this place, but I am very grateful for the
benefit I have received from it; and as liberty
is the greatest of blessings, I restore you to
yours, in return for the favours you have

conferred on me." So saying, he let her go.
She flew away with an air as fierce as though
he had detained her against her will. "How
capricious!" exclaimed he, mentally. "Thou
resemblest a human being more than a turtle-
dove,—the one is inconstant, the other is
not." The Dove replied to him, although high

in air, "Ah! do you know who I am?"
Cheri was astonished that the Dove had thus
answered his thoughts; he was convinced she
was very clever, and was sorry he had let her
go. "She would have been useful to me," said
he; "and I might have learnt from her many
things that would have contributed to my
happiness." However, he considered within
himself that one should never regret doing a

good action; and he felt he was much indebted
to her, when he reflected on the difficulties
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