ore she reached
the kingdom of the Fire Spirits, for she had four thousand miles to go.

Had she not been a fairy, she must have been scorched to death as she
entered the Fire-King's domain, for the streets were paved with molten
iron, and flames kept bursting forth in all directions, in which she
could perceive strange wild figures, some leaping to and fro in mad
fantastic glee, playing at ball with lumps of burning coal; others
manufacturing volcanic fire in their monstrous furnaces.

They ceased their employment when they saw Violet, and came and knelt
before her in wondering admiration. She looked so beautiful as she came
floating towards them in her soft violet robe, with her fair hair
rippling in golden waves to her very feet, that they thought she must be
an angel who had strayed down from among the bright stars to their
gloomy dwelling-place, for they had never seen a fairy before.

They were moved with compassion when they heard her sad tale, and at
once led her before their King, who was seated on a throne of molten
gold, with red and yellow flames curling up and arching over him for a
canopy, and a crown of fire on his head. He looked rather fierce, but
received Violet very graciously, and at once ordered his head blacksmith
to make the little fairy a new pair of wings. Violet was a little
startled when she found that these were made of fire, and were to be
fastened on her shoulders with bands of liquid gold, but the King
assured her that they were the very best of their kind.

"There is nothing so powerful as fire," he cried, with a fierce exultant
laugh; waving his fiery sceptre in the burning atmosphere so wildly,
that though Violet thought he had been very kind to her, and bade him a
very grateful farewell, she was yet not at all sorry to be safely out of
his domains.

How fresh and green the earth looked as she emerged from the dark
caverns that led to the Fire-King's palace, and rested her hot feet on
the cool grass! But when eager to tell her friends of her success, she
began to try the Fire-King's present, a general cry of dismay and terror
broke forth.

"Sister Violet, you are killing our flowers," cried the fairies,
reproachfully.

"Oh, I am burning! I am burning!" shrieked the grass.

"Cruel fairy! you have killed us!" murmured the insects, as, with
scorched wings, they fell helpless to the ground.

"Alas!" said Violet weeping, "I am bringing death and destruction
wherever I go. I will f