r's arms, and burst into tears. For fifteen days she had
had King Lino's portrait constantly before her, while the letter from
their own ambassador speaking of the young man's grace and charm had
never left her pocket. True, the portrait was faithful enough, but how
could that fair outside contain so rough and rude a soul? Yet this
even she might have forgiven had the king shown any of the signs of
love and admiration to which she had been so long accustomed. As for
her mother, the poor Swan fairy was so bewildered at the extraordinary
manners of her new son-in-law, that she was almost speechless.

Matters were in this state when King Lino's chamberlain begged for a
private audience of her majesty, and no sooner were they alone than he
told her that he feared that his master had suddenly gone mad, or had
fallen under the spell of some magician.

'I had been lost in astonishment before,' said he, 'but now that he
has failed to recognise the princess, and no longer possesses her
portrait, which he never would part from for a single instant, my
amazement knows no bounds. Perhaps, madam, your fairy gifts may be
able to discover the reason of this change in one whose courtesy was
the talk of the kingdom.' And with a low bow he took his departure.

The queen stood where the chamberlain left her, thinking deeply.
Suddenly her face cleared, and going to an old chest which she kept in
a secret room, she drew from it a small mirror. In this mirror she
could see faithfully reflected whatever she wished, and at this moment
she desired above all things to behold King Lino _as he really was_.

Ah! the chamberlain was right! It was not he who was lying on his bed
snoring till the whole palace shook beneath him. No, _this_ was her
real son-in-law--the man dressed in dirty clothes, and imprisoned in
one of Ismenor's strongest towers, and kissing the portrait of
Hermosa, which had escaped the wizard's notice, owing to the young
king having worn it, for better concealment, tied amongst his hair.
Calling hastily to her daughter, she bade her also look, and Hermosa
had the pleasure of gazing on Lino, who was behaving exactly as she
could have wished. The mirror was still in her hand when the door of
the prison opened, and there entered the hideous Riquette, who, from
her upraised eyes, seemed to be begging from Lino some favour which he
refused to grant. Of course Hermosa and her mother could not hear
their words, but from Riquette's ang