he
turned into a clod of earth, and stuck himself between Dapple's hoof
and shoe on the near forefoot. So the Princess hunted up and down, out
and in, everywhere; at last she came into the stable, and wanted to go
into Dapplegrim's loose box. This time he let her come up to him, and
she pried high and low, but under his heels she couldn't come, for he
stood firm as a rock on his feet, and so she couldn't find the lad.

"Well, you must just show yourself, for I'm sure I can't find you,"
said the Princess, and as she spoke the lad stood by her side on the
stable floor.

"Now you are mine indeed," said the lad; "for now you can see I'm
fated to have you." This he said both to the father and daughter.

"Yes; it is so fated," said the king; "so it must be."

Then everything was made ready for the wedding with great splendour
and promptitude; and the lad got on Dapplegrim, and the Princess on
Dapplegrim's match, and then you may guess they were not long on their
way to church.

_The Hermit_

In the reign of King Moabdar there lived at Babylon a young man named
Zadig. He was handsome, rich, and naturally good-hearted; and at the
moment when this story opens, he was travelling on foot to see the
world, and to learn philosophy and wisdom. But, hitherto, he had
encountered so much misery, and endured so many terrible disasters,
that he had become tempted to rebel against the will of Heaven, and to
believe that the Providence which rules the world neglects the good
and lets the evil prosper. In this unhappy spirit he was one day
walking on the banks of the Euphrates, when he chanced to meet a
venerable hermit, whose snowy beard descended to his girdle, and who
carried in his hand a scroll which he was reading with attention.
Zadig stopped, and made him a low bow. The hermit returned the
salutation with an air so kindly, and so noble, that Zadig felt a
curiosity to speak to him. He inquired what scroll was that which he
was reading.

"It is the Book of Destiny," replied the hermit; "would you like to
read it?"

He handed it to Zadig; but the latter, though he knew a dozen
languages, could not understand a word of it. His curiosity increased.

"You appear to be in trouble," said the kindly hermit.

"Alas!" said Zadig, "I have cause to be so."

"If you will allow me," said the hermit, "I will accompany you.
Perhaps I may be useful to you. I am sometimes able to console the
sorrowful."

Zadig felt a deep resp