world, and I can well
believe that," added the prince, "after what I have seen to-day."
When the king's daughter heard this she hung down her head and blushed
like a rose, for, of course, she thought the prince was alluding only
to herself, as she did not know that he had seen Rosaleen, and she had
not heard of the restoration of her beauty.
Before another word could be spoken a great noise and the clang of
arms were heard outside the palace. The king and his guests started
from their seats and drew their swords, and the bards raised the song
of battle; but their voices were stilled and their harps silenced when
they saw at the threshold of the banquet hall a battle champion, in
whose face they recognised the features of their murdered king.
"'Tis Niall come back to claim his father's throne," said the chief
bard. "Long live Niall!"
"Long live Niall!" answered all the others.
The king, white with rage and amazement, turned to the chiefs and
nobles of his court, and cried out:
"Is there none loyal enough to drive that intruder from the banquet
hall?"
But no one stirred, and no answer was given. Then the king rushed
forward alone, but before he could reach the spot where Niall was
standing he was seized by a dozen chiefs and at once disarmed.
During this scene the king's daughter had fled frightened; but
Rosaleen, attracted by the noise, and hearing her brother's name and
the cheers which greeted it, had entered the banquet hall unperceived
by anyone. But when her presence was discovered every eye was dazzled
with her beauty. Niall looked at her for a second, wondering if the
radiant maiden before him could be the little sister he had been
separated from for so many years. In another second she was clasped in
his arms.
Then the feast was spread again, and Niall told the story of his
adventures; and when the Prince of the Sunny Valley asked for the hand
of Rosaleen, Niall told his lovely sister to speak for herself. With
downcast eyes and smiling lips she said, "yes," and that very day was
the gayest and brightest wedding that ever took place, and Rosaleen
became the prince's bride.
In her happiness she did not forget the little robin, who was her
friend in sorrow. She took him home with her to Sunny Valleys, and
every day she fed him with her own hands, and every day he sang for
her the sweetest songs that were ever heard in lady's bower.
THE ENCHANTED CAVE.
A long, long time ago, Princ
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