beille, and holding out his hand, said:

'Come.'

'Come where?' asked Abeille, opening her eyes very wide.

'To the lake, of course,' answered the boy.

Abeille was silent. It was one thing to pretend you meant to be
disobedient some day, a long time off, and quite another to start for
such a distant place without anyone knowing that you had left the
garden. 'And in satin shoes, too! How stupid boys were to be sure.'

'Stupid or not, I am going to the lake, and you are going with me!'
said Youri, who had not forgotten or forgiven the look she had cast on
him the day before. 'Unless,' added he, 'you are afraid, and in that
case I shall go alone.'

This was too much for Abeille. Bursting into tears, she flung herself
on Youri's neck, and declared that wherever he went she would go too.
So, peace having been made between them, they set out.

[Illustration: ABEILLE FINDS HERSELF AMONG THE LITTLE MEN]

It was a hot day, and the townspeople were indoors waiting till the
sun was low in the sky before they set out either to work or play, so
the children passed through the streets unperceived, and crossed the
river by the bridge into the flowery meadows along the road by which
they had ridden with the duchess. By-and-by Abeille began to feel
thirsty, but the sun had drunk up all the water, and not a drop was
left for her. They walked on a little further, and by good luck found
a cherry-tree covered with ripe fruit, and after a rest and a
refreshing meal, they were sure that they were strong enough to reach
the lake in a few minutes. But soon Abeille began to limp and to say
that her foot hurt her, and Youri had to untie the ribbons that
fastened her shoe and see what was the matter. A stone had got in, so
this was easily set right, and for a while they skipped along the path
singing and chattering, till Abeille stopped again. This time her shoe
had come off, and turning to pick it up she caught sight of the towers
of the castle, looking such a long way off that her heart sank, and
she burst into tears.

'It is getting dark, and the wolves will eat us,' sobbed she. But
Youri put his arms round her and comforted her.

'Why we are close to the lake now. There is nothing to be afraid of!
We shall be home again to supper,' cried he. And Abeille dried her
eyes, and trotted on beside him.

Yes, the lake was there, blue and silvery with purple and gold irises
growing on its banks, and white water-lilies floated on its bos