e says, though the old witch---- But what ails you?' she
broke off, as the young man sprang to his feet and seized her wrists.

'Listen to me,' he said. 'Can you keep a secret?'

'Ay,' answered the old woman again, 'if I am paid for it.'

'Oh, you shall be paid, never fear--as much as your heart can desire!
Here is a handful of gold: you shall have as much again if you will do
my bidding.' The old crone nodded her head.

'Then go and buy a dress such as ladies wear at court, and manage to
get admitted into the palace, and into the presence of Zoulvisia. When
there, show her this ring, and after that she will tell you what to
do.'

So the old woman set off, and clothed herself in a garment of yellow
silk, and wrapped a veil closely round her head. In this dress she
walked boldly up the palace steps behind some merchants whom the king
had sent for to bring presents for Zoulvisia.

At first the bride would have nothing to say to any of them; but on
perceiving the ring, she suddenly grew as meek as a lamb. And thanking
the merchants for their trouble, she sent them away, and remained
alone with her visitor.

'Grandmother,' asked Zoulvisia, as soon as the door was safely shut,
'where is the owner of this ring?'

'In my cottage,' answered the old woman, 'waiting for orders from
you.'

'Tell him to remain there for three days; and now go to the king of
this country, and say that you have succeeded in bringing me to
reason. Then he will let me alone and will cease to watch me. On the
third day from this I shall be wandering about the garden near the
river, and there your guest will find me. The rest concerns myself
only.'

* * * * *

The morning of the third day dawned, and with the first rays of the
sun a bustle began in the palace; for that evening the king was to
marry Zoulvisia. Tents were being erected of fine scarlet cloth,
decked with wreaths of sweet-smelling white flowers, and in them the
banquet was spread. When all was ready a procession was formed to
fetch the bride, who had been wandering in the palace gardens since
daylight, and crowds lined the way to see her pass. A glimpse of her
dress of golden gauze might be caught, as she passed from one flowery
thicket to another; then suddenly the multitude swayed, and shrank
back, as a thunderbolt seemed to flash out of the sky to the place
where Zoulvisia was standing. Ah! but it was no thunderbolt, only the
horse of fire! An