ing's chase he stopped to rest near a brook in
the shade of a little wood, where a splendid tent had been prepared
for him. Whilst at luncheon he suddenly spied a little monkey of the
brightest green sitting on a tree and gazing so tenderly at him that
he felt quite moved. He forbade his courtiers to frighten it, and the
monkey, noticing how much attention was being paid him, sprang from
bough to bough, and at length gradually approached the King, who offered
him some food. The monkey took it very daintily and finally came to the
table. The King took him on his knees, and, delighted with his capture,
brought him home with him. He would trust no one else with its care, and
the whole Court soon talked of nothing but the pretty green monkey.

One morning, as Prince Alphege's governess and her daughter were alone
together, the little monkey sprang in through an open window. He had
escaped from the palace, and his manners were so gentle and caressing
that Zayda and her mother soon got over the first fright he had given
them. He had spent some time with them and quite won their hearts by
his insinuating ways, when the King discovered where he was and sent to
fetch him back. But the monkey made such piteous cries, and seemed so
unhappy when anyone attempted to catch him, that the two ladies begged
the King to leave him a little longer with them, to which he consented.

One evening, as they sat by the fountain in the garden, the little
monkey kept gazing at Zayda with such sad and loving eyes that she and
her mother could not think what to make of it, and they were still more
surprised when they saw big tears rolling down his cheeks.

Next day both mother and daughter were sitting in a jessamine bower in
the garden, and they began to talk of the green monkey and his strange
ways. The mother said, 'My dear child, I can no longer hide my feelings
from you. I cannot get the thought out of my mind that the green monkey
is no other than our beloved Prince Alphege, transformed in this strange
fashion. I know the idea sounds wild, but I cannot get it out of my
heart, and it leaves me no peace.'

As she spoke she glanced up, and there sat the little monkey, whose
tears and gestures seemed to confirm her words.

The following night the elder lady dreamt that she saw the Good Queen,
who said, 'Do not weep any longer but follow my directions. Go into
your garden and lift up the little marble slab at the foot of the great
myrtle tree.