t celebrated dancers were not to be compared with them
in activity. But the princess, troubled that she could not guess from
whence this curious present came, dismissed the dancers sooner than she
would otherwise have done, though she was extremely pleased with them.

Leander, satisfied with having seen the delight the princess had taken
in beholding the monkeys, thought of nothing now but to get a little
repose, which he greatly wanted. He stayed sometime in the great
gallery; afterward, going down a pair of stairs, and finding a door
open, he entered into an apartment the most delightful that ever was
seen. There was in it a bed of cloth-of-gold, enriched with pearls,
intermixed with rubies and emeralds: for by this time there appeared
daylight sufficient for him to view and admire the magnificence of this
sumptuous furniture. Having made fast the door, he composed himself to
sleep. Next day he rose very early, and looking about on every side,
he spied a painter's pallet, with colors ready prepared and pencils.
Remembering what the princess had said to Abricotina touching her
own portrait, he immediately (for he could paint as well as the most
excellent masters) seated himself before a mirror and drew his own
picture first; then, in an oval, that of the princess. He had all her
features so strong in his imagination that he had no occasion for her
sitting; and as his desire to please her had set him to work, never did
portrait bear a stronger resemblance. He had painted himself upon one
knee, holding the princess' picture in one hand, and in the other a
label with this inscription, "She is better in my heart." When the
princess went into her cabinet, she was amazed to see the portrait of
a man; and she fixed her eyes upon it with so much the more surprise,
because she also saw her own with it, and because the words which
were written upon the label afforded her ample room for curiosity. She
persuaded herself that it was Abricotina's doing; and all she desired
to know was whether the portrait was real or imaginary. Rising in haste,
she called Abricotina, while the invisible Leander, with his little
red cap, slipped into the cabinet, impatient to know what passed. The
princess bade Abricotina look upon the picture and tell her what she
thought of it.

After she had viewed it, "I protest!" said she, "'tis the picture of
that generous stranger to whom I am indebted for my life. Yes, yes, I am
sure it is he; his very featu