thus
remove her to some hostel in the neighborhood while your highness
continues the chase?"

"Your idea is good, Hubert. Make the litter and we will immediately
place her upon it, only you will not carry her to a hostel, but to my
palace. This young maiden is assuredly of high birth, and she is
beautiful as an angel. I will watch over her myself, so that she may
receive the care and attention to which she is entitled."

Hubert, with the assistance of his men, soon arranged the litter upon
which Prince Gracious spread his mantle; then approaching Rosalie, who
was still sleeping softly, he raised her gently in his arms and laid her
upon the cloak. At this moment Rosalie seemed to be dreaming. She smiled
and murmured, in low tones:--

"My father! my father! saved for ever! The Queen of the Fairies! The
Prince Gracious! I see him; he is charming!"

The prince, surprised to hear his name pronounced, did not doubt that
Rosalie was a princess under some cruel enchantment. He commanded his
gamekeepers to walk very softly so as not to wake her and he walked by
the side of the litter.

On arriving at the palace, Prince Gracious ordered that the queen's
apartment should be prepared for Rosalie. He suffered no one to touch
her but carried her himself to her chamber and laid her gently upon the
bed, ordering the women who were to wait upon and watch over her to
apprise him as soon as she awaked. Then, casting a farewell look upon
the sad, sweet face of the sleeper, he strode from the room.

Rosalie slept tranquilly until morning. The sun was shining brightly
when she awoke. She looked about her with great surprise. The wicked
mouse was not near her to terrify her--it had happily disappeared.

"Am I delivered from this wicked fairy Detestable?" said she, joyfully.
"Am I in the hands of a fairy more powerful than herself?"

Rosalie now stepped to the window and saw many armed men and many
officers, dressed in brilliant uniforms. More and more surprised, she
was about to call one of the men, whom she believed to be either genii
or enchanters, when she heard footsteps approaching. She turned and saw
the prince Gracious, clothed in an elegant and rich hunting-dress,
standing before her and regarding her with admiration. Rosalie
immediately recognized the prince of her dream and cried out
involuntarily:--

"The prince Gracious!"

"You know me then?" said the prince, in amazement. "How, if you have
ever known me, could I hav