Page 99 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

enterprise; but it was no time to be
discouraged. She watched the moment when
the Princess went to a little temple of Diana,
with few attendants. She accosted her, and,
with an air of great friendship, said: "How
delighted I am, Madam, at the happy effect of
my advice! One might know, by looking at
you, that you at present use the dancing water;

but if I dare counsel you further, you ought to
make yourself mistress of the singing apple. It
is quite a different thing; for it embellishes the
wit so much, that it enables you to do
anything. If you wish to persuade any one you
have only to smell the singing apple: would
you speak in public, make verses, write prose,

be amusing, draw tears, or cause laughter, the
apple has all these virtues; and it sings so well
and so loud, that one can hear it eight leagues
off, without being stunned by it."
"I will have none of it," cried the Princess;
"you thought to kill my brother by your
dancing water: your advice is too dangerous."
"What, Madam!" replied Feintise, "would you
be sorry to become the wisest and wittiest

person in the world? Truly, you cannot mean
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