g her sleeping boy into the care of
Francoeur, her steward, she laid herself quietly on her bed, where,
the next morning, they found her dead and peaceful.

So Youri and Abeille grew up side by side, and the duchess faithfully
kept her promise, and was a mother to them both. As they got bigger
she often took them with her on her journeys through her duchy, and
taught them to know her people, and to pity and to aid them.

It was on one of these journeys that, after passing through meadows
covered with flowers, Youri caught sight of a great glittering expanse
lying beneath some distant mountains.

'What is that, godmother?' he asked, waving his hand. 'The shield of a
giant, I suppose.'

'No; a silver plate as big as the moon!' said Abeille, twisting
herself round on her pony.

'It is neither a silver plate nor a giant's shield,' replied the
duchess; 'but a beautiful lake. Still, in spite of its beauty, it is
dangerous to go near it, for in its depths dwell some Undines, or
water spirits, who lure all passers-by to their deaths.'

Nothing more was said about the lake, but the children did not forget
it, and one morning, after they had returned to the castle, Abeille
came up to Youri.

'The tower door is open,' whispered she; 'let us go up. Perhaps we
shall find some fairies.'

But they did not find any fairies; only, when they reached the roof,
the lake looked bluer and more enchanting than ever. Abeille gazed at
it for a moment, and then she said:

'Do you see? I mean to go there!'

'But you mustn't,' cried Youri. 'You heard what your mother said. And,
besides, it is so far; how could we get there?'

'_You_ ought to know that,' answered Abeille scornfully. 'What is the
good of being a man, and learning all sorts of things, if you have to
ask me. However, there are plenty of other men in the world, and I
shall get one of them to tell me.'

Youri coloured; Abeille had never spoken like this before, and,
instead of being two years younger than himself, she suddenly seemed
many years older. She stood with her mocking eyes fixed on him, till
he grew angry at being outdone by a girl, and taking her hand he said
boldly:

'Very well, we will _both_ go to the lake.'

* * * * *

The next afternoon, when the duchess was working at her tapestry
surrounded by her maidens, the children went out, as usual, to play in
the garden. The moment they found themselves alone, Youri turned to
A