ndissolubly
connected--does not exist within his body. Like the vital centre of
"the giant who had no heart in his body" in the well-known Norse tale,
it is something extraneous to the being whom it affects, and until it
is destroyed he may set all ordinary means of annihilation at
defiance. But this is not always the case, as may be learnt from one
of the best of the skazkas in which he plays a leading part, the
history of--

MARYA MOREVNA.[101]

In a certain kingdom there lived a Prince Ivan. He had three
sisters. The first was the Princess Marya, the second the Princess
Olga, the third the Princess Anna. When their father and
mother lay at the point of death, they had thus enjoined their
son:--"Give your sisters in marriage to the very first suitors
who come to woo them. Don't go keeping them by you!"

They died and the Prince buried them, and then, to solace his
grief, he went with his sisters into the garden green to stroll.
Suddenly the sky was covered by a black cloud; a terrible storm
arose.

"Let us go home, sisters!" he cried.

Hardly had they got into the palace, when the thunder
pealed, the ceiling split open, and into the room where they were,
came flying a falcon bright. The Falcon smote upon the ground,
became a brave youth, and said:

"Hail, Prince Ivan! Before I came as a guest, but now I
have come as a wooer! I wish to propose for your sister, the
Princess Marya."

"If you find favor in the eyes of my sister, I will not interfere
with her wishes. Let her marry you in God's name!"

The Princess Marya gave her consent; the Falcon married
her and bore her away into his own realm.

Days follow days, hours chase hours; a whole year goes by.
One day Prince Ivan and his two sisters went out to stroll in
the garden green. Again there arose a stormcloud with whirlwind
and lightning.

"Let us go home, sisters!" cried the Prince. Scarcely had
they entered the palace, when the thunder crashed, the roof
burst into a blaze, the ceiling split in twain, and in flew an eagle.
The Eagle smote upon the ground and became a brave youth.

"Hail, Prince Ivan! Before I came as a guest, but now I
have come as a wooer!"

And he asked for the hand of the Princess Olga. Prince
Ivan replied:

"If you find favor in the eyes of the Princess Olga, then let
her marry you. I will not interfere with her liberty of choice."

The Princess O