“Why are ye all so glad?” inquired Mary, bending to her fair playmate, who seemed smaller than yesterday.

“The King is coming!” said the little one; “many of us have never seen him, and whithersoever he turns his face, there are happiness and mirth; we have long looked for him, more anxiously than you look for spring when winter lingers with you; and now he has announced, by his fair herald, that he is at hand.  This wise and glorious Bird, that has been sent to us by the King, is called Phoenix; he dwells far off in Arabia, on a tree—­there is no other that resembles it on Earth, as in like manner there is no second Phoenix.

[Illustration:  #DANCE OF THE ELVES# MORITZ VON SCHWIND]

When he feels himself grown old, he builds a pile of balm and incense, kindles it, and dies singing; and then from the fragrant ashes soars up the renewed Phoenix with unlessened beauty.  It is seldom he so wings his course that men behold him; and when once in centuries this does occur, they note it in their annals, and expect remarkable events.  But now, my friend, thou and I must part; for the sight of the King is not permitted thee.”

Then the lady with the golden robe came through the throng, and beckoning Mary to her, led her into a sequestered walk.  “Thou must leave us, my dear child,” said she; “the King is to hold his court here for twenty years, perhaps longer; and fruitfulness and blessings will spread far over the land, but chiefly here beside us; all the brooks and rivulets will become more bountiful, all the fields and gardens richer, the wine more generous, the meadows more fertile, and the woods more fresh and green; a milder air will blow, no hail shall hurt, no flood shall threaten.  Take this ring, and think of us; but beware of telling any one of our existence or we must fly this land, and thou and all around will lose the happiness and blessing of our neighborhood.  Once more, kiss thy playmate, and farewell.”  They issued from the walk; Zerina wept, Mary stooped to embrace her, and they parted.  Already she was on the narrow bridge; the cold air was blowing on her back from the firs; the little dog barked with all its might, and rang its little bell; she looked round, then hastened over, for the darkness of the firs, the bleakness of the ruined huts, the shadows of the twilight, were filling her with terror.

“What a night my parents must have had on my account!” said she within herself, as she stepped on the green; “and I dare not tell them where I have been, or what wonders I have witnessed, nor indeed would they believe me.”  Two men passing by saluted her, and as they went along, she heard them say:  “What a pretty girl!  Where can she have come from?” With quickened steps she approached the house; but the trees which were hanging last night loaded with fruit were now standing dry and leafless; the house was differently painted, and a new barn had been built beside it.  Mary was amazed, and thought she must be dreaming.  In this perplexity she opened the door; and behind the table sat her father, between an unknown woman and a stranger youth.  “Good God!  Father,” cried she, “where is my mother?”