u must at once have
him put to death.'

The King, who was very brave, assured the Queen that he would soon
punish the conspirators. He made careful inquiries into the matter,
and thought it hardly probable that a quiet widow and a young girl
would think of attempting anything of the nature of a revolution.

He determined to go and see them, and to find out the truth for
himself; so one night, without saying anything to the Queen or his
ministers, he set out for the palace where the two ladies lived,
attended only by a small band of followers.

The two ladies were at the moment deep in conversation with Prince
Alphege, and hearing a knocking so late at night begged him to keep
out of sight for a time. What was their surprise when the door was
opened to see the King and his suite.

'I know,' said the King, 'that you are plotting against my crown and
person, and I have come to have an explanation with you.'

As she was about to answer Prince Alphege, who had heard all, came
forward and said, 'It is from me you must ask an explanation,
brother.' He spoke with such grace and dignity that everyone gazed at
him with mute surprise.

At length the King, recovering from his astonishment at recognising
the brother who had been lost some years before, exclaimed, 'Yes, you
are indeed my brother, and now that I have found you, take the throne
to which I have no longer a right.' So saying, he respectfully kissed
the Prince's hand.

Alphege threw himself into his arms, and the brothers hastened to the
royal palace, where in the presence of the entire court he received
the crown from his brother's hand. To clear away any possible doubt,
he showed the ruby which the Good Queen had given him in his
childhood. As they were gazing at it, it suddenly split with a loud
noise, and at the same moment the Wicked Queen expired.

King Alphege lost no time in marrying his dear and lovely Zayda, and
his joy was complete when the Good Queen appeared at his wedding. She
assured him that the Fairy of the Mountain had henceforth lost all
power over him, and after spending some time with the young couple,
and bestowing the most costly presents on them, she retired to her own
country.

King Alphege insisted on his brother sharing his throne, and they all
lived to a good old age, universally beloved and admired.

_FAIRER-THAN-A-FAIRY_

Once there lived a King who had no children for many years after his
marriage. At length heaven gra