t
down her eyes and said timidly:

"Do not think me ungrateful, my dear good friends, if I wish you to add
one more to the benefits you have already conferred upon me. Tell me
something of my father. Does he still weep my absence? Is he happy since
he lost me?"

"Dear Blondine, your anxiety on this point is most natural and shall be
relieved. Look in this mirror, Blondine, and you shall see the king
your father and all that has passed since you left the palace."

[Illustration: _She threw her arms around the neck of Bonne-Biche_]

Blondine raised her eyes to the mirror and looked into the apartment of
her father. The king seemed much agitated and was walking backwards and
forwards. He appeared to be expecting some one. The queen, Fourbette,
entered and related to him that notwithstanding the remonstrances of
Gourmandinet, Blondine had herself seized the reins and guided the
ostriches who becoming frightened dashed off in the direction of the
Forest of Lilacs and overturned the carriage. Blondine was thrown over
the grating which bounded the forest. She stated that Gourmandinet had
become insane from terror and grief and she had sent him home to his
parents. The king was in wild despair at this news. He ran to the Forest
of Lilacs and he had to be withheld by force from throwing himself
across the boundary in order to search for his cherished Blondine. They
carried him to the palace where he yielded to the most frightful sorrow
and despair, calling unceasingly upon his dear Blondine, his beloved
child. At last, overcome by grief, he slept and saw in a dream Blondine
in the castle of Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon. Bonne-Biche gave him the
sweet assurance that Blondine should one day be restored to him and that
her childhood should be calm and happy.

The mirror now became misty and everything disappeared, then again clear
as crystal and Blondine saw her father a second time. He had become
old, his hair was white as snow and his countenance was sad. He held in
his hand a little portrait of Blondine, his tears fell upon it and he
pressed it often to his lips. The king was alone. Blondine saw neither
the Queen nor Brunette.

Poor Blondine wept bitterly.

"Alas!" said she, "why is my dear father alone? Where is the queen?
Where is Brunette?"

"The queen," said Bonne-Biche, "showed so little grief at your death, my
princess, that your father's heart was filled with hatred and suspicion
towards her and he sent her back t