d her snowy neck.
This lady, during the life of her fond husband, was by his tender
care kept from every inclemency of the air, and preserved from every
inconvenience that it was possible for human nature to suffer. What then
must be her condition now, when through bypaths and thorny ways, she was
obliged to fly with all possible speed, to escape the fury of her cruel
pursuers: for she too well knew the merciless temper of her enemies,
to hope that they would not pursue her with the utmost diligence,
especially as she was accompanied by the young Princess Hebe; whose life
was the principal cause of their disquiet, and whose destruction they
chiefly aimed at.

The honest peasant, who carried the Princess Hebe in his arms, followed
the queen's painful steps; and seeing the day begin to break, he begged
her, if possible, to hasten on to a wood which was not far off, where it
was likely she might find a place of safety. But the afflicted queen,
at the sight of the opening morn (which once used to fill her mind with
rising joy) burst into a flood of tears, and, quite overcome with
grief and fatigue, cast herself on the ground, crying out in the most
affecting manner, 'The end of my misfortunes is at hand. My weary limbs
will no longer support me. My spirits fail me. In the grave alone must
I seek for shelter.' The poor princess, seeing her mother in tears, cast
her little arms about her neck, and wept also, though she knew not why.

Whilst she was in this deplorable condition, turning round her head, she
saw behind her a little girl, no older in appearance than the Princess
Hebe; who, with an amiable and tranquil countenance, begged her to
rise and follow her, and she would lead her where she might refresh and
repose herself.

The queen was surprised at the manner of speaking of this little child,
as she took her to be; but soon thought it was some kind fairy sent to
protect her, and was very ready to submit herself to her guidance and
protection.

The little fairy (for such indeed was the seeming child who had thus
accosted them) ordered the peasant to return back, and said that she
would take care of the queen, and her young daughter; and he, knowing
her to be the good fairy Sybella, very readily obeyed.

Sybella then striking the ground three times with a little wand, there
suddenly rose up before them a neat plain car, and a pair of milk-white
horses; and placing the queen with the Princess Hebe in her lap by her
s