, an insurrection took place upon the death of
the old king, the greater part of the nobility was massacred, and
the young prince was compelled to flee for his life, disguised like a
peasant. For some time, until he got out of the country, he suffered
much from hunger and fatigue; but when he got into that ruled by the
princess's father, and had no longer any fear of being recognised, he
fared better, for the people were kind. He did not abandon his disguise,
however. One tolerable reason was that he had no other clothes to put
on, and another that he had very little money, and did not know where to
get any more. There was no good in telling everybody he met that he
was a prince, for he felt that a prince ought to be able to get on like
other people, else his rank only made a fool of him. He had read of
princes setting out upon adventure; and here he was out in similar case,
only without having had a choice in the matter. He would go on, and see
what would come of it.

For a day or two he had been walking through the palace-wood, and had
had next to nothing to eat, when he came upon the strangest little
house, inhabited by a very nice, tidy, motherly old woman. This was one
of the good fairies. The moment she saw him she knew quite well who
he was and what was going to come of it; but she was not at liberty to
interfere with the orderly march of events. She received him with the
kindness she would have shown to any other traveller, and gave him bread
and milk, which he thought the most delicious food he had ever tasted,
wondering that they did not have it for dinner at the palace sometimes.
The old woman pressed him to stay all night. When he awoke he was amazed
to find how well and strong he felt. She would not take any of the money
he offered, but begged him, if he found occasion of continuing in the
neighbourhood, to return and occupy the same quarters.

"Thank you much, good mother," answered the prince; "but there is little
chance of that. The sooner I get out of this wood the better."

"I don't know that," said the fairy.

"What do you mean?" asked the prince.

"Why, how should I know?" returned she.

"I can't tell," said the prince.

"Very well," said the fairy.

"How strangely you talk!" said the prince.

"Do I?" said the fairy.

"Yes, you do," said the prince.

"Very well," said the fairy.

The prince was not used to be spoken to in this fashion, so he felt a
little angry, and turned and walked a