though he looked only a blue bird, the king was his own natural
self still, and remembered all his misfortunes, and did not cease to
lament for his beautiful Florina. Flying from tree to tree, he sang
melancholy songs about her and himself, and wished he were dead many a
time.

The fairy Soussio sent back Troutina to her mother, who was furious.
"Florina shall repent having pleased King Charming!" cried she; and
dressing her own daughter in rich garments, with a gold crown on her
head, and King Charming's ring on her finger, she took her to the
tower. "Florina, your sister is come to see and bring you marriage
presents, for she is now the wife of King Charming."

Florina, doubting no more her lover's loss, fell down in a swoon, and
the queen immediately went to tell her father that she was mad for
love, and must be watched closely lest she should in some way disgrace
herself. The king said, her stepmother might do with her exactly what
she pleased.

When the princess recovered from her swoon, she began to weep, and
wept all night long, sitting at the open window of her tower. The Blue
Bird, who kept continually flying about the palace, but only at night
time, lest any one should see him, happened to come and perch upon a
tall cypress opposite the window, and heard her; but it was too dark
to see who she was, and at daylight she shut the window. Next night,
it was broad moonlight, and then he saw clearly the figure of a young
girl, weeping sore, and knew that it was his beloved Florina.

When she paused in her lamentations, "Adorable princess," said he,
"why do you mourn? Your troubles are not without remedy."

"Who speaks to me so gently?" asked she.

"A king, who loves you, and will never love any other."

So saying he flew up to the window, and at first frightened the
princess very much, for she could not understand such an extraordinary
thing as a bird who talked in words like a man, yet kept still the
piping voice of a nightingale. But soon she began stroking his
beautiful plumage, and caressing him.

"Who are you, charming bird?"

"You have spoken my name. I am King Charming, condemned to be a bird
for seven years, because I will not renounce you."

"Ah! do not deceive me. I know you have married Troutina. She came to
visit me with your diamonds on her neck, and your ring on her finger,
wearing the golden crown and royal mantle which you had given her,
while I was laden with iron chains."

"It is all