window, quickly! I bring you news of your
father. But above all make no noise unless you want my throat cut."

Blondine was overwhelmed with joy. She opened the window with alacrity
and said: "Is it true, my beautiful Parrot, that you bring me news of my
dear father? Speak quickly! What is he doing and how is he?"

"Your father is well, Blondine, but he weeps your loss always. I have
promised him to employ all my power to deliver you from your prison but
I can do nothing without your assistance."

"My prison!" said Blondine. "But you are ignorant of all the goodness
which Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon have shown me, of the pains they have
lavished upon my education, of all their tenderness and forbearance.
They will be enchanted to find a way of restoring me to my father. Come
with me, beautiful Parrot and I will present you to Bonne-Biche. Come, I
entreat you."

"Ah! Blondine," said the sharp voice of the Parrot, "it is you,
Princess, who do not know Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon. They detest me
because I have sometimes succeeded in rescuing their victims from them.
You will never see your father again, Blondine, you will never leave
this forest, unless you yourself shall break the charm which holds you
here."

"What charm?" said Blondine. "I know of no charm and what interest have
Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon in keeping me a prisoner?"

"Is it not to their interest to enliven their solitude, Blondine? There
is a talisman which can procure your release. It is a simple Rose,
which, gathered by yourself, will deliver you from your exile and
restore you to the arms of your fond father."

"But there is not a single Rose in the garden. How then can I gather
one?"

"I will explain this to you another day, Blondine. Now I can tell you no
more, as I hear Bonne-Biche coming. But to convince you of the virtues
of the Rose, entreat Bonne-Biche to give you one and see what she will
say. To-morrow--to-morrow, Blondine!"

The Parrot flew away, well content to have scattered in Blondine's heart
the first seeds of discontent and ingratitude.

The Parrot had scarcely disappeared when Bonne-Biche entered. She
appeared greatly agitated.

"With whom have you been talking, Blondine?" looking suspiciously
towards the open window.

"With no one, madam," said the princess.

"I am certain I heard voices in conversation."

"I must have been speaking to myself."

Bonne-Biche made no reply. She was very sad and tears fell from her
ey