Agnella went to
market she put him on her donkey and took him with her and on those days
she found more difficulty in selling her vegetables and cheese. The
mothers fled from her, fearing that Ourson would come too near them.

Agnella wept often and vainly implored the fairy Drolette. Whenever a
lark flew near her, hope was born in her breast. But the larks, alas,
were real larks, fit only to make pies and not fairies in disguise.

VIOLETTE

Ourson at eight years of age was tall and strong, with magnificent eyes
and a sweet voice; his bristles were no longer stiff but his hair was
soft as silk, and those who loved him could embrace him without being
scratched, as Passerose had been the day of his birth. Ourson loved his
mother tenderly and Passerose almost as well but he was often alone and
very sad. He saw too well the horror he inspired and he saw also that he
was unlike other children.

One day he was walking along a beautiful road which bordered on the
farm. He had walked a long time and overcome with heat and fatigue he
looked about him for some fresh and quiet spot for repose when he
thought he saw a little object, fair and rosy, a few steps from him.
Drawing near with precaution he saw a little girl asleep. She seemed to
be about three years old and she was beautiful as the Loves and Graces.
Her blonde hair partly covered her fair and dimpled shoulders while her
soft cheeks were round and fresh and dimpled and a half smile played
upon her rosy and parted lips, through which small teeth, white and even
as pearls, could be seen. Her charming head was reposing upon a lovely
rounded arm and the little hand was beautifully formed and white as
snow. The attitude of this little girl was so graceful, so enchanting,
that Ourson stood before her immovable with admiration. He watched with
as much surprise as pleasure, this child sleeping as soundly and
peacefully in the wood as if she had been at home in her own little bed.
Ourson looked at her a long time and examined her toilet which was more
rich and elegant than anything he had ever seen. Her dress was of white
silk embroidered in gold; her boots were of blue satin also embroidered
in gold; her stockings were silk and fine as a spider's web; magnificent
bracelets were sparkling upon her arms and the clasp seemed to contain
her portrait; a string of beautiful pearls encircled her throat.

A lark now commenced its song just above the lovely little girl and
aw