path a small enclosure, the gate of which
was quickly opened by the Parrot. The soil was arid and stony but a
magnificent, majestic rose-bush adorned with one Rose, which was more
beautiful than all the roses of the world grew in the midst of this
sterile spot.

"Take it, Blondine!" said the parrot; "you deserve it--you have truly
earned it!"

Blondine seized the branch eagerly and in spite of the thorns which
pierced her fingers cruelly, she tore it from the bush.

The Rose was scarcely grasped firmly in her hand, when she heard a burst
of mocking laughter. The Flower fell from her grasp, crying:--

"Thanks, Blondine, for having delivered me from the prison in which
Bonne-Biche held me captive. I am your evil genius! Now you belong to
me!"

"Ha! ha!" now exclaimed the Parrot. "Thanks, Blondine! I can now resume
my form of magician. You have destroyed your friends for I am their
mortal enemy!"

Saying these cruel words, the Parrot and the Rose disappeared, leaving
Blondine alone in the forest.

REPENTANCE

Blondine was stupefied! Her conduct now appeared to her in all its
horror. She had shown a monstrous ingratitude towards the friends who
had been so tenderly devoted to her--who had dedicated seven years to
the care of her education. Would these kind friends ever receive her,
ever pardon her? What would be her fate, if they should close their
doors against her? And then, what did those awful words of the wicked
Parrot signify: "You have caused the destruction of your friends"?

Blondine turned round and wished to retrace her steps to the castle of
Bonne-Biche. The briers and thorns tore her arms and face terribly. She
continued however to force her way bravely through the thickets and
after three hours of most painful walking she came before the castle of
Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon.

[Illustration: _Blondine sees the castle of Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon_]

Horror seized upon her, when in place of the superb building she saw
only an appalling ruin--in place of the magnificent trees and rare
flowers which surrounded it, only briers and thorns, nettles and
thistles, could be seen. Terrified and most desolate, she tried to force
her way in the midst of the ruins, to seek some knowledge of her kind
friends. A large Toad issued from a pile of stones, advanced before her,
and said:--

"What are you seeking? Have you not occasioned the death of your friends
by the basest ingratitude? Begone! do not ins