the governess-第22部分
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
（into which Florimel was run to hide herself） and promised her； on that condition； to make the idle girl restore the picture。
It was now so late； that it was impossible for the princess to think of returning home that night； and the pleasing address of Brunetta； together with the hopes of having her picture restored； soon prevailed with her to accept of the fairy's invitation。
The castle glittered with gaudy furniture； sweet music was heard in every room； the whole company； who were all of the most beautiful forms that could be conceived； strove who should be most obliging to this their new guest。 They omitted nothing that could amuse and delight the senses。 And the Princess Hebe was so entranced with joy and rapture； that she had not time for thought； or for the least serious reflection； and she now began to think； that she had attained the highest happiness upon earth。
After they had kept her three days in this round of pleasure and delight； they began to pull of the mask； nothing was heard but quarrels； jars； and galling speeches。 Instead of sweet music； the apartments were filled with screams and howling； for every one giving way to the most outrageous passions； they were always doing each other some malicious turn； and only universal horror and confusion reigned。
The princess was hated by all； and was often asked； with insulting sneers； why she did not return to her peaceful grove； and condescending mother？ But her mind having been thus turned aside from what was right； could not bear the thoughts of returning； and though by her daily tears； she showed her repentance； shame prevented her return： but this again was not the right sort of shame； for then she would humbly have taken the punishment due to her crime； and it was rather a stubborn pride； which； as she knew herself so highly to blame； would not give her leave to suffer the confusion of again confessing her fault； and till she could bring herself to such a state of mind； there was no remedy for her misery。
Just as Miss Jenny had read these words； Mrs。 Teachum remembering some orders necessary to give in her family； left them； but bid them go on； saying she would return again in a quarter of an hour。 But she was no sooner gone from them； than our little company； hearing the sound of trumpets and kettle…drums； which seemed to be playing at some little distance from Mrs。 Teachum's house； suddenly started from their seats； running directly to the terrace； and； looking over the garden wall； they saw a troop of soldiers riding by； with these instruments of music playing before them。
They were highly delighted with the gallant and splendid appearance of these soldiers； and watched them till they were out of sight； and were then returning to their arbour； where Miss Jenny had been reading； but Miss Nanny Spruce espied another such troop coming out of the lane from whence the first had issued； and cried out； 'O！ here is another fine sight； let us stay； and see these go by too。' 'Indeed （said Miss Dolly Friendly） I am in such pain for the poor princess Hebe； while she is in that sad castle； that I had rather hear how she escaped （for that I hope she will） than see all the soldiers in the world； and besides； it is but seeing the same thing we have just looked at before。' Here some were for staying； and others for going back； but as Miss Dolly's party was the strongest； the few were ashamed to avow their inclinations； and they were returning to the arbour； when they met Mrs。 Teachum； who informed them their dancing master was just arrived； and they must attend him； but in the evening they might finish their story。
They were so curious （and especially Miss Dolly Friendly） to know what was to become of the princess； that they could have wished not to have been interrupted； but yet； without one word of answer； they complied with what their governess thought most proper； and in the evening； hastening to their arbour； Mrs。 Teachum herself being present； Miss Jenny went on in the following manner：
THE FAIRY TALE CONTINUED。
The queen； in the meantime； suffered for the loss of her child more than words can express； till the good fairy Sybella returned。 The queen burst into tears at the sight of her； but the fairy immediately cried out； 'You may spare yourself； my royal guest； the pain of relating what has happened。 I know it all； for that old man； whom I took such pity on； was a phantom； raised by Brunetta； to allure me hence； in order to have an opportunity； in my absence； of seducing the princess from her duty。 She knew nothing but a probable story could impose on me； and therefore raised that story of the misery of the old man's son （from motives which too often； indeed； cause the misery of mortals）； as knowing I should think it my duty to do what I could to relieve such a wretch。 I will not tell you all my journey； nor what I have gone through。 I know your mind is at present too much fixed on the princess； to attend to such a relation I'll only tell you what concerns yourself。 When the phantom found； that by no distress he could perturb my mind； he said he was obliged to tell the truth； what was the intention of my being deluded from home； and what had happened since； and then vanished away。' Here the fairy related to the queen everything that had happened to the princess； as has already been written； and concluded with saying； that she would wander about the castle walls （for Brunetta had no power over her）； and if she could get a sight of the princess； she would endeavour to bring her to a true sense of her fault； and then she might again be restored to happiness。
The queen blessed the fairy for her goodness； and it was not long before Sybella's continual assiduity got her a sight of the princess； for she often wandered a little way towards that wood she had once so much delighted in； but never could bring herself to enter into it： the thought of seeing her injured mother made her start back； and run half wild into the fatal castle。 Rozella used frequently to throw herself in her way； and on hearing her sighs； and seeing her tears； would burst into a sneering laugh at her folly； to avoid which laugh； the poor princess first suffered herself to throw off all her principles of goodness and obedience； and was now fallen into the very contempt she so much dreaded。
The first time the fairy got a sight of her； she called to her with the most friendly voice； but the princess； stung to the soul with the sight of her； fled away； and did not venture out again in several days。 The kind Sybella began almost to despair of regaining her lost child； but never failed walking round the castle many hours every day。 And one evening； just before the sun set； she heard within the gates a loud tumultuous noise； but more like riotous mirth； than either the voice either of rage or anger； and immediately she saw the princess rush out at the gate； and about a dozen girls； laughing and shouting； running after her。 The poor princess flew with all her speed till she came to a little arbour； just by the side of the wood； and her pursuers； as they intended only to tease her； did not follow her very close； but； as soon as they lost sight of her； turned all back again to the castle。
Sybella went directly into the arbour； where she found the little trembler prostrate on the ground； crying and sobbing as if her heart was breaking。 The fairy seized her hand； and would not let her go till she had prevailed with her to return to the Placid Grove； to throw herself once more at her mother's feet； assuring her； that nothing but this humble state of mind could cure her misery and restore her wonted peace。
The queen was filled with the highest joy to see her child； but restrained herself so much； that she showed not the least sign of it； till she had seen her some time prostrate at her feet； and had heard her with tears properly confess； and ask pardon for； all her faults。 She then raised； and once more forgave her； but told her that she must learn more humility and distrust of herself； before she should again expect to be trusted。
The princess answered not； but with a modest downcast look which expressed her concern and true repentance； and in a short time recovered her former peace of mind； and as she never afterwards disobeyed her indulgent mother； she daily increased in wisdom and goodness。
After having lived on in the most innocent and peaceful manner for three years （the princess being just turned of eighteen years old） the fairy told the queen that she would now tell her some news of her kingdom； which she had heard in her journey； namely； that her sister…in…law was dead； and her brother…in…law had made proclamation throughout the kingdom； of great rewards to any one who should produce the queen and the Princess Hebe； whom he would immediately reinstate on the throne。
The Princess Hebe was by when she related this； and said she begged to lead a private life； and never more be exposed to the temptation of entering into vice； for which she already had so severely smarted。
The fairy told her； that； since she doubted herself； she was now fit to be trusted； for； said she； 'I did not like your being so sure of resisting temptation； when first I con
