while they were dressing their mistress, one of them suddenly broke
into a laugh, in which the others joined her.

'What is the matter with you?' asked Zoulvisia. And the maid answered
that she was thinking of a droll adventure told them the evening
before by the new-comer.

'And, oh, madam!' cried the girl, 'it may be that she is a witch, as
they say; but I am sure she never would work a spell to harm a fly!
And as for her tales, they would pass many a dull hour for you, when
my lord was absent!'

So, in an evil hour, Zoulvisia consented that the crone should be
brought to her, and from that moment the two were hardly ever apart.

* * * * *

One day the witch began to talk about the young king, and to declare
that in all the lands she had visited she had seen none like him.

'It was so clever of him to guess your secret so as to win your
heart,' said she. 'And of course he told you his, in return?'

'No, I don't think he has got any,' returned Zoulvisia.

'Not got any secrets?' cried the old woman scornfully. 'That is
nonsense! Every man has a secret, which he always tells to the woman
he loves. And if he has not told it to _you_, it is that he does not
love you!'

[Illustration: THE WITCH AND HER SNAKES]

These words troubled Zoulvisia mightily, though she would not confess
it to the witch. But the next time she found herself alone with her
husband, she began to coax him to tell her in what lay the secret of
his strength. For a long while he put her off with caresses, but when
she would be no longer denied, he answered:

'It is my sabre that gives me strength, and day and night it lies by
my side. But now that I have told you, swear upon this ring, that I
will give you in exchange for yours, that you will reveal it to
nobody.' And Zoulvisia swore; and instantly hastened to betray the
great news to the old woman.

Four nights later, when all the world was asleep, the witch softly
crept into the king's chamber and took the sabre from his side as he
lay sleeping. Then, opening her lattice, she flew on to the terrace
and dropped the sword into the river.

The next morning everyone was surprised because the king did not, as
usual, rise early and go off to hunt. The attendants listened at the
keyhole and heard the sound of heavy breathing, but none dared enter,
till Zoulvisia pushed past. And what a sight met their gaze! There lay
the king almost dead, with foam on his mouth,