le head resting on the
mysterious book, and the black dwarf at his feet jealously guarding his
slumber. So she trimmed his silver lamp for him afresh, so that it
burned with a yet more wonderful brilliance, laid a cluster of sweet
flowers beside him, and then gladly flitting from the gloomy rock,
spread her glistening wings, and darted up into the air; up, up, far
above the tops of the lofty trees, flashing like a bright vision through
the now darkening night. She passed the silver moon, which was shining
calmly down upon the world she had just left; she threaded her way in
and out among the golden stars; on, on she went till she saw the
beautiful radiant light that never dims, and heard the soft murmuring of
sweet music, and smelled the delicious fragrance of Fairy-land.

As she passed through the golden gates she heard a great shout of, "'Tis
the Fairy Violet!" and instantly all the bells of Fairy-land began to
ring, and a gay procession of radiant fairies, all dressed in their
fairest robes, came to meet her, and pressed round her with loving
welcome and congratulation. "Come to our Queen, for she is waiting for
you," they cried; and led her in triumph up the shining steps of the
Fairy Palace, and into the Hall of Pearl, where the Queen was seated on
her throne dispensing the graceful wreaths, which, woven by her own
hand, were the choicest rewards bestowed in Fairy-land. It was easy to
adjudge the crowns of merit among the fairies, for their beauty
increased, or waned, according as they had done well or ill.

Now, every one looking on the Fairy Violet saw that she was the most
beautiful of all, for her face was so radiantly lovely, that none but
the purest fairies could look on it undazzled. So when the Queen, after
greeting Violet with her sweetest smiles, had asked, "To whom shall I
give the fairest crown?" they all shouted unanimously, "To our Sister
Violet!"

But Violet lifted her gentle face with a pleading gesture.

"May it please your Majesty," she said, earnestly, "I do not deserve to
be so highly honoured; my sisters have all done as well as I have."

"No, little Violet," said the Queen, smiling, "you have done best of
all. We well know what your work has been.--Listen!"

Then Violet listened, and she heard a wondrous song, which, rising and
falling with each change of the fitful breeze, now broke into a wild
strain of piercing sweetness, and anon died away into a soft musical
murmur like the rippling