the court
ordered a small room to be given her on the stairs; and while poor
Betta was sitting there she saw Pintosmalto pass by, whereat her joy
was so great that she was on the point of slipping down from the tree
of life. But seeing the trouble she was in, Betta wished to make proof
of the first saying which the old woman had told her; and no sooner had
she repeated the words, "Tricche varlacche, the house rains!" than
instantly there appeared before her a beautiful little coach of gold
set all over with jewels, which ran about the chamber of itself and was
a wonder to behold.

When the ladies of the court saw this sight they went and told the
Queen, who without loss of time ran to Betta's chamber; and when she
saw the beautiful little coach, she asked whether she would sell it,
and offered to give whatever she might demand. But Betta replied that,
although she was poor she would not sell it for all the gold in the
world, but if the Queen wished for the little coach, she must allow her
to pass one night at the door of Pintosmalto's chamber.

The Queen was amazed at the folly of the poor girl, who although she
was all in rags would nevertheless give up such riches for a mere whim;
however, she resolved to take the good mouthful offered her, and, by
giving Pintosmalto a sleeping-draught, to satisfy the poor girl but pay
her in bad coin.

As soon as the Night was come, when the stars in the sky and the
glowworms on the earth were to pass in review, the Queen gave a
sleeping-draught to Pintosmalto, who did everything he was told, and
sent him to bed. And no sooner had he thrown himself on the mattress
than he fell as sound asleep as a dormouse. Poor Betta, who thought
that night to relate all her past troubles, seeing now that she had no
audience, fell to lamenting beyond measure, blaming herself for all
that she had done for his sake; and the unhappy girl never closed her
mouth, nor did the sleeping Pintosmalto ever open his eyes until the
Sun appeared with the aqua regia of his rays to separate the shades
from the light, when the Queen came down, and taking Pintosmalto by the
hand, said to Betta, "Now be content."

"May you have such content all the days of your life!" replied Betta in
an undertone; "for I have passed so bad a night that I shall not soon
forget it."

The poor girl, however, could not resist her longing, and resolved to
make trial of the second saying; so she repeated the words, "Anola
tranola, t