jesty, requested that
they would drink no more, but leave the table before they were
incapacitated from paying the proper attentions to their fair
conductors. The last argument had more weight than the first; and
notwithstanding the remonstrances of the king, who showed the greatest
anxiety that we should remain, the party rose from the table and
separated. The two men who were intoxicated were carried away by some
of the courtiers, and the king with marks of displeasure quitted the
hall. I was again left alone with my charming princess, and inflamed
with the exhilarating draught which I had taken, I threw myself at her
feet, declaring my violent passion, and my wish never to quit the
island, if I could be blessed with a reciprocal feeling on her part. I
perceived that I had made an impression; and following up my success, I
protested and she listened, until the evening closed in and found us
still seated upon the steps of the throne. At last she rose and said,
"I know not whether you be sincere in what you say, but I must
acknowledge that I hope you are; and I shall be very miserable if it
should prove otherwise. But you are now under the effects of the
intoxicating water, and may deceive yourself. Come, sir, it is time
that I conduct you to your chamber, where you must sleep away the
exhilarating effects of the golden fountain. To-morrow morning, if you
are of the same opinion, I may be induced to make a discovery."

The next morning I woke without any headache from the intemperance of
the previous night. As soon as I quitted the apartment I met the
princess outside. "I am still in the same mind, dear princess," said I,
implanting a kiss upon her hand, "to live for you alone, or die if I
cannot remain with you."

She smiled, and answered, "Then for you will I sacrifice every thing;
for until I beheld you, I never was aware that I had a heart. Rise and
follow me, and you shall know all."

We passed the large hall, with which the whole of the bed-chambers
communicated, and she conducted me through a dark passage to a room, in
which were several golden plinths without statues. At the further end
of it I perceived, to my horror, that two of them were already occupied
with the forms of the boatswain and sailor who had been intoxicated the
night before. They were now changed into the same blue chalcedony of
which the statues in the porticos were composed.

"Do you recognise these figures?" inquired the prin