e parrot had perched, and informed
her that her favourite was really the king of a great country, and
that, if she would whistle for the bird, they would all go together to
a certain spot in the Forest of Marvels, 'where I will restore him to
his own shape. Only you must not be afraid or cry out, whatever I do,'
added he, 'or everything will be spoilt.' The wizard's wife jumped up
in an instant, so delighted was she, and began to whistle the song
that the parrot loved; but as he did not wish it to be known that he
had been listening to the conversation he waited until she had turned
her back, when he flew down the tree and alighted on her shoulder.
Then they got into a golden boat, which carried them to a clearing in
the forest, where three tall trees stood by themselves.

[Illustration: THE MAGICIAN'S WIFE WHISTLES TO THE PARROT]

'I want these trees for my magic fire,' he said to his wife; 'put
the parrot on that branch, he will be quite safe, and go yourself to a
little distance. If you stay too near you may get your head crushed in
their fall.'

At these words the parrot suddenly remembered the prophecy of Ismenor,
and held himself ready, his heart beating at the thought that in one
of those trees he beheld Hermosa. Meanwhile the magician took a spade,
and loosened the earth of the roots of the three trees so that they
might fall all together. Directly the parrot observed them totter he
spread his wings and flew right under the middle one, which was the
most beautiful of the three. There was a crash, then Lino and Hermosa
stood facing each other, clasped hand in hand.

After the first few moments, the princess's thoughts turned to her
mother, and falling at the feet of the magician, who was smiling with
delight at the success of his plan, she implored him to help them once
more, and to give the Swan fairy back her proper shape.

'That is not so easy,' said he, 'but I will try what I can do.' And
transporting himself to his palace to obtain a little bottle of
poisoned water, he waited till nightfall, and started at once for
Ismenor's tower. Of course, had Ismenor consulted his books he would
have seen what his enemy was doing, he might have protected himself;
but he had been eating and drinking too much, and had gone to bed,
sleeping heavily. Changing himself into a bat, the magician flew into
the room, and hiding himself in the curtains, he poured all the liquid
over Ismenor's face, so that he died without a