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this tale？ Still； after a long struggle with himself； he made up
his mind that there was nothing else to be done； and that he
deserved whatever she might say to him。 And she said a great
deal； for she had worked herself into a terrible passion； but the
Prince humbly implored her pardon； and ventured to point out that
it would have been very hard to refuse the young lady's
reasonable request。 'You must learn to do as you are told；' was
all the Frog would reply。
But poor Saphir was so unhappy； and begged so hard for
forgiveness； that at last the Frog's anger gave way； and she held
up to him a tiny diamond stone。 'Go back；' she said； 'to the
castle； and bury this little diamond close to the door。 But be
careful not to return to the stable or to the bedroom； they have
proved too fatal to you。 Walk straight to the garden and enter
through a portico； into a small green wood； in the midst of which
is a tree with a trunk of gold and leaves of emeralds。 Perched
on this tree you will see the beautiful bird you have been
seeking so long。 You must cut the branch on which it is sitting；
and bring it back to me without delay。 But I warn you solemnly
that if you disobey my directions； as you have done twice before；
you have nothing more to expect either of me or anyone else。'
With these words she jumped into the water； and the Prince； who
had taken her threats much to heart； took his departure； firmly
resolved not to deserve them。 He found it all just as he had
been told： the portico； the wood； the magnificent tree； and the
beautiful bird； which was sleeping soundly on one of the
branches。 He speedily lopped off the branch； and though he
noticed a splendid golden cage hanging close by； which would have
been very useful for the bird to travel in； he left it alone； and
came back to the fountain； holding his breath and walking on
tip…toe all the way； for fear lest he should awake his prize。
But what was his surprise； when instead of finding the fountain
in the spot where he had left it； he saw in its place a little
rustic palace built in the best taste； and standing in the
doorway a charming maiden； at whose sight his mind seemed to give
way。
'What！ Madam！' he cried； hardly knowing what he said。 'What！
Is it you？'
The maiden blushed and answered： 'Ah； my lord； it is long since I
first beheld your face； but I did not think you had ever seen
mine。'
'Oh； madam；' replied he； 'you can never guess the days and the
hours I have passed lost in admiration of you。' And after these
words they each related all the strange things that had happened；
and the more they talked the more they felt convinced of the
truth of the images they had seen in their mirrors。 After some
time spent in the most tender conversation； the Prince could not
restrain himself from asking the lovely unknown by what lucky
chance she was wandering in the forest； where the fountain had
gone； and if she knew anything of the Frog to whom he owed all
his happiness； and to whom he must give up the bird； which；
somehow or other； was still sound asleep。
'Ah； my lord；' she replied； with rather an awkward air； 'as to
the Frog； she stands before you。 Let me tell you my story； it is
not a long one。 I know neither my country nor my parents； and
the only thing I can say for certain is that I am called
Serpentine。 The fairies； who have taken care of me ever since I
was born； wished me to be in ignorance as to my family； but they
have looked after my education； and have bestowed on me endless
kindness。 I have always lived in seclusion； and for the last two
years I have wished for nothing better。 I had a mirror'here
shyness and embarrassment choked her wordsbut regaining her
self…control； she added； 'You know that fairies insist on being
obeyed without questioning。 It was they who changed the little
house you saw before you into the fountain for which you are now
asking； and； having turned me into a frog； they ordered me to say
to the first person who came to the fountain exactly what I
repeated to you。 But； my lord； when you stood before me； it was
agony to my heart； filled as it was with thoughts of you； to
appear to your eyes under so monstrous a form。 However； there
was no help for it； and； painful as it was； I had to submit。 I
desired your success with all my soul； not only for your own
sake； but also for my own； because I could not get back my proper
shape till you had become master of the beautiful bird； though I
am quite ignorant as to your reason for seeking it。'
On this Saphir explained about the state of his father's health；
and all that has been told before。
On hearing this story Serpentine grew very sad； and her lovely
eyes filled with tears。
'Ah； my lord；' she said； 'you know nothing of me but what you
have seen in the mirror； and I； who cannot even name my parents；
learn that you are a king's son。'
In vain Saphir declared that love made them equal； Serpentine
would only reply： 'I love you too much to allow you to marry
beneath your rank。 I shall be very unhappy； of course； but I
shall never alter my mind。 If I do not find from the fairies
that my birth is worthy of you； then； whatever be my feelings； I
will never accept your hand。'
The conversation was at this point； and bid fair to last some
time longer； when one of the fairies appeared in her ivory car；
accompanied by a beautiful woman past her early youth。 At this
moment the bird suddenly awakened； and； flying on to Saphir's
shoulder （which it never afterwards left）； began fondling him as
well as a bird can do。 The fairy told Serpentine that she was
quite satisfied with her conduct； and made herself very agreeable
to Saphir； whom she presented to the lady she had brought with
her； explaining that the lady was no other than his Aunt
Aglantine； widow of Diamantino。
Then they all fell into each other's arms； till the fairy mounted
her chariot； placed Aglantine by her side； and Saphir and
Serpentine on the front seat。 She also sent a message to the
Prince's attendants that they might travel slowly back to the
Court of King Peridor； and that the beautiful bird had really
been found。 This matter being comfortably arranged； she started
off her chariot。 But in spite of the swiftness with which they
flew through the air； the time passed even quicker for Saphir and
Serpentine； who had so much to think about。
They were still quite confused with the pleasure of seeing each
other； when the chariot arrived at King Peridor's palace。 He had
had himself carried to a room on the roof； where his nurses
thought that he would die at any moment。 Directly the chariot
drew within sight of the castle the beautiful bird took flight；
and； making straight for the dying King； at once cured him of his
sickness。 Then she resumed her natural shape； and he found that
the bird was no other than the Queen Constance； whom he had long
believed to