The whole of the company separated; those who had charge of my companions leading them different ways, leaving me alone with the princess, who had risen from her seat when directed by her father to take charge of me.  I could have fallen down and worshipped her:  as it was, I involuntarily dropped on one knee, and looked up in her face as if I had been contemplating a celestial visitant.

She smiled and addressed me:  “I am ordered to attend to your happiness and comfort, and I obey my father’s commands with pleasure.  I only trust that your happiness may be more lasting than it usually is in this deceitful world,” and she sighed deeply.

I continued in my position at her feet, and encouraged by her urbanity, poured forth a torrent of what to the many are considered compliments, but which to her were but truths.  I became eloquent from excitation, and being at this time, as I before observed to your highness, a very personable man, I perceived that she was pleased with my efforts to obtain her favour.

“I have more than once had this duty allotted to me, when strangers have visited the island,” observed she; “but I have always been wearied, and have called in my women to assist me.  I never yet have seen one like you; you are gentle, and of a very different description from those who generally have been introduced as the captains of vessels which have arrived here.  I then was indifferent, if not glad, when my duty was at an end; but I feel otherwise now”—­and she again sighed.

“If it depended upon me, fair princess, and upon my wishes, I am afraid that you would consider the duration of it to be most tedious.  Never have I beheld any creature so perfect and so beautiful!  O that your task might be continued for the term of my existence!”

“It probably may,” answered she, gravely, and then, as if recollecting herself, she assumed a more cheerful air, and continued:  “but we are losing time, which should be otherwise employed.  Come, sir, permit me to obey my father’s commands, and try to beguile the hours by contributing to your amusement.”

Offering me her hand, which I respectfully raised to my lips, she then conducted me over the palace, directing my attention to every object that she considered worthy of notice; and we had passed two or three hours in conversation, and remarks upon the objects before us, when I expressed my wish to behold the curious fountain from which the island took its name.

“I shall obey you,” replied she:  and again her face assumed a mournful cast.  She led the way to a hall of black marble, in the centre of which the fountain threw up its water to the height of twelve or fourteen feet, and fell into a spacious basin.  The water of it, when in a body, shone with all the colours of the rainbow, and the sparkling drops which were thrown out on every side, were brilliant as the purest gold.

“How beautiful!” exclaimed I, after some minutes of silent admiration.  “These, then, are the waters of longevity.”