ized me, all helpless to resist--
Soon would have ceased my song.
Just then, young Rudolph, brave and fair,
Perceived my urgent need;
He risk'd his life in saving mine--
And shall that kind heart bleed?"

"It shall not: he is saved; and you, gentle dove, ever wear this collar
round your neck as a token of my approbation; it shall descend in your
family to the latest generations." The Queen then touched Rudolph with
her golden wand; an electric thrill passed through his frame, and he
fell down senseless to the ground. When he awoke, he found himself lying
upon a couch of purple and gold, in a superb crystal hall, whose
pillars, sparkling with gems, rose upward to a lofty transparent dome of
blue, through which the sun was shining brilliantly. Over him bent the
Fairy Queen, radiant in beauty, and eying him with indescribable
tenderness. At last she spoke, kindly caressing him: "My son, you are
now in my dwelling, where no harm shall befall you; fear nothing. Here
you shall live forever, in splendor and happiness; your every wish shall
be gratified; no more scorching suns, no more dark and gloomy days for
you--all shall be joy, unvaried pleasure, eternal youth and health. One
solitary restriction I must lay upon you, but that is positive; on no
account shed a tear, for on that day when you weep, you must return to
earth--even my power could not keep you here. Tears must never sully the
palace of the Fairy Queen. But why should you weep? I myself will take
care of you, teach you, be a mother to you: when you feel a desire,
mention it to me, and it is already accomplished."

With ardent gratitude and passionate love and admiration, Rudolph
embraced the beautiful Queen, and said, "Is this really true? and is
this splendid place to be my own home?" "It really is; I have adopted
you for my son. It is my intention to educate you myself." "How very
good of you! how I love you! And my papa and mamma, and dear little
Bertha, can they live here too? And may Bruno, and Saladin, and old
Fritz come too?" "Oh no, little Rudolph, you must not talk about those
other people; they belong to the earth--let them stay there. You must
forget about that old home of yours, for all that has passed away; your
home is with me, in Fairy Land. It is much more beautiful here; there is
nothing on earth that can compare with it. I will show you such splendid
things! I will teach you how to paint the flowers, and to make