ears since I was shut up in this frightful
prison, having no power to injure your father, whom I hate, or to bring
any evil upon you, whom I detest because you are his daughter."

"Who are you, then, wicked mouse?"

"I am the mortal enemy of your family, my pet. I call myself the fairy
Detestable and the name suits me, I assure you. All the world hates me
and I hate all the world. I shall follow you now for the rest of your
life, wherever you go."

"Go away at once, miserable creature! A mouse is not to be feared and I
will find a way to get rid of you."

"We shall see, my pet! I shall remain at your side wherever you go!"

[Illustration: _The broom was on fire at once, blazed up and burned her
hands_]

Rosalie now ran rapidly towards the house; every time she turned she saw
the mouse galloping after her, and laughing with a mocking air. Arrived
at the house, she tried to crush the mouse in the door, but it remained
open in spite of every effort she could make and the mouse remained
quietly upon the door-sill.

"Wait awhile, wicked monster!" cried Rosalie, beside herself with rage
and terror.

She seized a broom and tried to dash it violently against the mouse but
the broom was on fire at once, blazed up and burned her hands; she threw
it quickly to the floor and pushed it into the chimney with her foot,
lest it should set fire to the house. Then seizing a kettle which was
boiling on the fire, she emptied it upon the mouse but the boiling water
was changed into good fresh milk and the mouse commenced drinking it,
saying:--

"How exceedingly amiable you are, Rosalie! Not content with having
released me from captivity, you give me an excellent breakfast."

Poor Rosalie now began to weep bitterly. She was utterly at a loss what
to do, when she heard her father entering.

"My father!" cried she, "my father! Oh! cruel mouse, I beseech you in
pity to go away that my father may not see you!"

"No, I shall not go but I will hide myself behind your heels until your
father knows of your disobedience."

The mouse had scarcely concealed herself behind Rosalie, when Prudent
entered. He looked at Rosalie, whose paleness and embarrassed air
betrayed her fear.

"Rosalie," said Prudent, with a trembling voice, "I forgot the key of
the little garden-house; have you found it?"

"Here it is, father," said Rosalie, presenting it to him, and coloring
deeply.

"How did this cream come to be upset on the floor?"

"Father