a sudden spring it vaulted into the basin
and instantly disappeared. He gazed with intense anxiety, expecting
every moment it would reappear; but it returned no more, and after
waiting in vain, until dusky twilight enveloped the glen in shadows,
he bent his way homeward, scarcely conscious whither he was going.
That night he slept from the mere weariness of sorrow, and dreamed the
beautiful princess appeared to thank and bless him for her
disenchantment.

The next day the Old Man of the Hills called his son before him, and
announced with great satisfaction that he had just concluded a treaty
of marriage between him and the oldest daughter of King Doddipol, a
lady of great discretion, and old enough to be his mother. The young
man quitted the presence of his father in despair, and, scarcely
conscious of whither he was wandering, sought the crystal basin at the
foot of the shining cascade. Here, seated on the rock, he gazed
himself almost blind, in the hope of seeing the little gold-fish once
more appear, to receive his last farewell. But he gazed in vain for
hours, and hours, until in the bitterness of disappointment he at
length cried out aloud--"It is all in vain. It will come no more, and
nothing is now left me but a remembrance carrying with it eternal
regrets. But one hope remains. I will seek my adored princess, for
such I know she is, where she disappeared from my sight, and either
find her or a grave." Saying this he plunged into the basin in an
agony of despair.

He continued to sink, as it appeared to him, for nearly half an hour,
without once drawing his breath, until, just as he felt himself quite
exhausted, he found himself precipitated into what seemed a new
world, far more beautiful than that he had just abandoned. The skies
were of a deeper blue, and being likewise far more transparent,
reflected the features of the lower world as in a vast illimitable
mirror. There was no sun visible in the heavens. Yet a soft, delicious
mellow light, more rich and yet more gentle than that of summer
twilight, diffused itself everywhere, giving to every object the charm
of distance, and giving to the air a genial warmth inexpressibly
grateful. The meadows seemed like endless waving seas of verdure, and
together with the foliage of the woods, exhibited all the freshness of
the new-born spring; the little warbling birds seemed to revel among
the groves and verdant meads in joyous luxury, filling the air with
their melo