deep, yawning chasm, by the side of which Elfin knelt, and called down in some mysterious tongue, when in a few moments up came three little swarthy, ugly dwarfs, besmeared with perspiration and dust, with picks and shovels in their hands, who glared evilly upon Hilda, and demanded in harsh, unearthly voices, of Elfin what she wanted.

"I want a car fit for the fairy Queen," said she. But the dwarfs shook their heads." I will have it; you shall make it!" exclaimed Elfin, turning like a little fiend, and stamping on the ground. "If you make it you shall have these white cowslips which you have asked for so long, to cure your sick people, and make your mines smell sweet; but if you don't, I'll turn snakes and poisonous serpents down among you."

The gnomes-for such they were-shuddered, and after whispering together a few moments, they nodded their heads at Elfin, as much as to give their consent, and held out their little dirty hands eagerly for the flowers; but Elfin held them back with a scornful laugh, and said, Earn them first, you little story-tellers! I will be here at daybreak with them in my hand, do your part by then." She then spoke rapidly a few moments in the unknown tongue, and put out her forefinger, on which each of the gnomes laid his forefinger, after which she turned away, and the gnomes disappeared down the chasm.

A strong wailing wind was blowing now, and Elfin clapped her hands and said, Hark! how my wild steed is snorting! Come, you shall ride him with me," and seizing Hilda by the hand, she sprang with her up in the air, and to Hilda's surprise she felt herself borne along by it, like a feather, and in a short time they reached her crystal cave, where Bobby and all the rest were waiting impatiently for her. "Now go and eat and sleep," said Elfin. "I must go; I've something to do; and in the morning expect me." Then springing up higher still, on another current of air, she floated away like a swan, waving her arms, and singing "Lullaby."

Well, this beats everything!" said Bobby, when Hilda had related everything to him"and a fairy car, too, to go to court in; that will be grand! But come in and have your supper, dear!"

66

"Yes," said Hilda, "and for the last time, here, Bobby!"

"Yes, darling!" returned Bobby, "so let's have a regular feast, and a good fire; for it's cold, and light up all our candles"-for Hilda, I must tell you, had contrived to make famous candles from the bees'-wax, with twisted grass for wicks. Well, they did so: Hilda brought out all her stores that were left; raisins, preserved plums, chesnuts, and preserved citrons, and all the rest; and they made a sparkling fire, and lighted their candles; so that the cave looked like one blaze of diamonds and rubies, and then they roasted their chesnuts and bread-fruit, and made a famous supper.

By daybreak the next morning they were up;

the birds went to get ripe strawberries for breakfast, whilst Hilda bathed, and combed out her beautiful hair; and hardly had they finished breakfast, when, to the admiration and astonishment of Hilda, she saw Elfin advancing, seated in the most beautiful car eyes ever beheld, drawn by four magnificent peacocks, with gold chains round their necks. The car itself was like a beautiful sea-shell, formed of silver, embossed with gold. The wheels were of pure gold, and at the back, with its superb tail spread over the seat, like a canopy, was a peacock of pure gold, with feathers and drooping tail one mass of gems, of all colours, which trembled at each motion, giving out a million glittering rays. It was worth a king's ransom, in short, and its surpassing beauty could not be told. Elfin threw the reins of golden ropes down, and sprang out, with something in her hand, which turned out to be a magnificent green dress, woven of gossamer and thistledown, most curiously and richly worked in arabesques of gold and silver, quite fairy-like.

"See," said Elfin, displaying it; "I've been at work all night, together with twelve wood nymphs, who helped me. Ain't it beautiful?"

And Hilda kissed her, and pressed her to her heart, and shed tears over her, and then put it on, compressing it round her waist by her gold girdle, and Elfin clapped her hands for joy to see how beautiful she looked-just like the full moon rising behind clouds, in short. Then Elfin made her put on a pair of shoes, with gold sandals to match. And lastly she took the lovely pear-shaped pearl from off her own forehead, and bound it by a magnificent gold chain on Hilda's, which quite put the finishing stroke to her beauty, saying, as she bound it on, and kissed her, wear it ever for my sake, dear Hilda: it bears a charm, and sometimes think of poor Elfin."

66

In a short time all was arranged, and after taking a last look at her dear cave, Hilda seated herself in the car beside Elfin, carrying her bouquet of precious white cowslips in her hand, you may be sure. First went the bears, with wreaths of oak-leaves with gilt oak-apples round their necks. Then came the white does with garlands of wood-flowers round theirs. The squirrels ran four on each side the car, on their hind-legs, with their bushy tails in the air, and bearing bulrushes over their shoulders. The birds, doves, and each with a small wreath round their necks, flew gracefully overhead. And as for Bobby, he sat on the front of the car, having a wreath of forget-me-nots round his neck, and a small peacock's feather in his head, which swayed here and there, and gave to Bobby's whole appearance a dignity not to be described. Then Elfin shook the golden reins, and off started the stately peacocks, at a speed which kept the bears and squirrels at the top of their speed. But Elfin said that none of them would tire, as she had breathed magic words over them.

Well, it was yet very early, and before the sun was much above the horizon, they reached the

outside of the forest, and then Elfin stopped the, car, and putting the reins in Hilda's hand, she kissed her once more fondly; but she spoke not, and her eyes looked quite sad and dim; and then throwing herself from the car into the air, she floated away, with her face still turned to Hilda, singing her soft lullaby, but so faintly, and there was such a mournful cadence in it this time, that the tears rose to Hilda's eyes as she watched her out of sight: and then shaking the reins once more, off started the peacocks again, at a speed which almost took away Hilda's breath. On, on they went; but who can describe the astonishment of the people of the villages and towns through which they dashed.

"Make way for the Queen of the Forest !" shouted out Bobby each time: and the bears growled, you may be sure, if any one stood in the way; which, however, few did, as the sight of the great bears, coming along at a huge padding pace, was quite enough to make people stand aside. All held up their hands in almost speechless astonishment. Some said one thing, some another; but all agreed that the like had never been seen before-all agreed that Hilda quite dazzled the sight: some said she was a powerful fairy-perhaps the queen-and some thought her a goddess. On, on they kept, feeling no fatigue, dashing along at a tremendous speed, which towards the evening brought them to the great city.

"Make way for the Queen of the Forest!" shouted Bobby, in a voice like a trumpet.

The bears growled aloud; the four peacocks with one accord spread their magnificent tails, and the birds struck up a delightful concert. The astonished people rushed in thousands to gaze. "The Queen of the Forest!" ran from mouth to mouth-" the Queen of the Forest! hurrah!" and the sound run along the streets like thunder, and reached even the palace, before which they soon arrived.

"Place for the Queen of the Forest!" shouted Bobby once more like thunder; and the royal porters in all haste threw open the royal gates; whilst the astonished guards presented arms in the deepest respect, and in they dashed into the palace court-yard. The king, queen, Princess Lilypout, and the maids of honour, all rushed to the windows, and their astonishment cannot be described.

"The Queen of the Forest!" exclaimed the king. "How wonderful! what a surpassing beauty! what magnificence!" And down he ran, himself with his crown on his head, and sceptre in his hand, attended by the queen and the maids of honour, and officers of the guards in full armour, to receive her at the grand entrance of the hall of marble, handing her out of the car himself into the hall, where the queen received her into her arms. As for Princess Lilypout, she had run in breathless haste to tell Prince Lunybel. Into the state apartments the king conducted her, where a cold collation had been hastily arranged; but Hilda said, "May I entreat your Majesty to conduct

me at once to the Prince, your royal son, that I may be the blessed instrument of curing the disease which has afflicted him so long; for these wonderful flowers that I hold in my hand are the white cowslips with scarlet leaves, which alone can cure him."

"Wonderful!" they all cried, and conducted her at once to the chamber of the Prince. But who can describe the agitation of Hilda as she entered that room (which she knew at once from her dream), and cast her eyes on the pale, yet surpassingly beautiful countenance of the young Prince, whose face instantly became covered with blushes, and whose dim eyes grew bright with unutterable tenderness as he exclaimed, in faint, choking voice, “And art thou come at last, my Bulbul! my priceless pearl! my beloved princess! Oh! blessed moment; now I shall die happy!" And tears fell from his quivering eyelids.

And Hilda too, overcome with a tenderness beyond control, blushed so richly that she was obliged to hide her burning face in her hands; though it must be owned that she could not help peeping at the beautiful young prince between her fingers, though quite in a maidenly, modest way, of course. But at his last words she at once threw off her bashfulness, and advanced to his side, saying in tender tone, "Not to see you die, do I come, my Prince! but to restore you, please heaven, to your royal father, and-and-to all who love you." And she held the white cowslips to his nose, and whilst he inhaled their delicious fragrance he fixed his dark eyes, beaming love, on hers, and making himself master of her other hand, alternately pressed it to his lips and bosom; whilst Hilda, trembling with emotion, cast her lovely eyes down in the sweetest confusion.

The King and Queen were deeply affected at this touching scene between the young lovers, and turned their heads aside to hide their emotion. Lilypout almost fainted; and the maids of honour and the three royal nurses sobbed aloud, when suddenly the Prince sneezed three times, and then, with a loud cry of joy, sprang from the couch, arrayed in his dressing-gown only, though it was a very magnificent one of course, and to the surprise of every one, caught Hilda in his arms and held her clasped to his beating heart, whilst her head dropped on his shoulder.

"He's well!" cried the King. "Quite well!" cried everybody; and immediately the King ordered the trumpets to sound, and that the most magnificent rejoicing should be held throughout the kingdom.

The most costly and splendid preparations were made for the marriage, and when the day arrived the King, taking the blushing Hilda by the hand, presented her to the whole court as their future Princess, when suddenly Hilda heard a faint scream, and a loud exclamation; and gazing up, there stood the Baron her father, in his robes of state, for he was now prime minister, and by his side, in magnificent costume, both the wicked Baroness and Brunehaut, and from

them the scream had proceeded-whilst the Baron, opening his arms, cried, "My child; my Hilda! is it can it be?" and Hilda exclaiming in wild delight, "Papa! dear, dear Papa!" flew into his arms.

To describe the scene that followed is impossible. The Baroness and Brunehaut went into trembling convulsions. Half the ladies fainted, sobs echoed on every side. When the King was informed of the whole truth, he expressed great delight that Hilda should turn out the daughter of his prime minister, but he ordered that both the guilty Baroness and the wicked Brunehaut should be instantly given to the royal crocodiles, for their dinner. But Hilda instantly threw herself on her knees, and begged mercy for them. Prince Lunybel aided her request, and it was granted; and Hilda, turning to them, said softly, "I never injured you, in thought even, and forgive you with my whole heart; for though you meant me ill, yet it has been the means of elevating me to the summit of human happiness, so wonderful are the ways of Providence."

To describe the magnificence of the marriage

would be impossible, or the happiness of the young couple-of the Queen of the Forest and Prince Lunybel-which names were shouted aloud amidst the bray of trumpets and beat of drums. But immediately after the marriage, the Baron went straight home to the old castle, taking the Baroness and Brunehaut with him, to whom he spoke not a word. They arrived late at night, and the Baron instantly ordered the Baroness and Brunehaut, despite their shrieks, to be locked up in the haunted chamber; and the next morning they were found squinting so horribly that they frightened everybody; their bodies were pinched black and blue; their noses turned up quite in a hopeless manner; their faces covered with pimples; and great humps on their backs.

As for Bobby he led a happy life in the palace, petted by every one; whilst the bears, does, squirrels, and birds, lived in the royal park in the most perfect felicity and peace. Hilda and the Prince often going to caress them; the young Prince doting upon everything that was loved by his darling "Queen of the Forest," as he ever called her.

On the horizon, gleaming in splendour, the Sun, Like a monarch bedight in his jewelled robe's fold, Or a warrior reclining when battle is done,

Wreathes his orb in a panoply gorgeous with gold: And the sails which stand out on the wave, as he glares

His last from the verge, seem like spectre-sheets spread

At the ghastly command of the Phantom, who bears
His terrible sway o'er a crew of the dead! *
As the fire-flies gather to burnish the boughs,
The stars are assembling far over the main;
And the beacon is warning the pilgrim who ploughs
The depths it illumes from the headland again.

Not a footfall is traced on the lonely sea-shoreNot a sound to be heard by the evening wave But the ceaseless refrain of the ripples, which war With the caverned repose of the clefts that they

lave.

Now, heavily up from the wolds of the west, When Twilight is wreathing a tissue of gloom, The clouds, like the giants of Story, and dressed In the parted sun's mystic embroidery, loom. And the empire of Silence is held over all;

For the Sca, as it frets with the weeds on the

coast,

Grows as low in its moan as the flap of a pall, When it waves in the wind o'er a funeral host!

That seek the cooling cloud, it calls to take
Sweet rest within its bosom; now, it bids
The young leaves dance for joy, and from them shake
The drops that on them lie like tears on Beauty's lids!
The silver lake reflects the group of flowers
That edge its bank, by day puts on the beam
Of majesty, the sunlight o'er it showers

In diamond drops: by night, its waters seem
A little heaven of blue dedropt with gold,

That in one breathless sleep unbroken lies,

Sprinkled with down that o'er it seems to fold, Tipped with the splendour brightening in the skies. All things are happy in their loveliness

The lake, the flower, the bird, the river, and the tree, In Nature's Paradise but form'd to bless,

To breathe of Love and waken tones of glee;
The velvet lawn is pav'd with coloured things,
Perfect in beauty, whilst a gentle chime
Of softest music through the woodland rings,
To hail the glad, the blessed Summer-time!

PERCIE

BY THE EDITRESS

10th. x 2 silk, 3 beads, 21 silk, 3 beads, 1 silk, 3 beads, 7 silk, twice.

11th. x 1 silk, 5 beads, 3 silk, 3 beads, 16 silk, 2 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 7 silk, twice. silk, 5 beads, 9 2 beads, 1 silk, * twice,

12th. x 1 silk, 6 beads, silk, 4 beads, 2 silk,

1 bead, 5 silk, x twice.

13th. x 1 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 2 beads, 1 silk, 5 beads, 11 silk, 2 beads, * 1 silk, 2 beads, * twice, 2 silk, 1 bead, 5 silk, X twice.

14th. 2 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 4 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 7 silk, 3 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 7 silk, 3 beads, 4 silk, X twice.

15th. 3 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 3 beads, * 1 silk, 2 beads, twice, 5 silk, 2 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 9 silk, 1 bead, 4 silk, × twice.

16th. × 1 silk, 5 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 4 beads, 5 silk, 1 bead, silk, 4 beads, X twice.

17th. 5 beads, 3 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 7 beads, 2 silk, 2 beads, 6 silk, 4 beads, 3 silk, 2 beads, 4 silk, × twice.

18th. 3 beads, 3 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, * twice, 7 beads, 3 silk, 1 bead, 3 silk, 8 beads, 1 silk, 1 bead, 6 silk, X twice.

19th. 7 beads, 2 silk, 3 beads, 2 silk, 3 beads, 6 silk, 10 beads, 7 silk, twice.

20th. 1 silk, 7 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 3 beads, 6 silk, 3 beads, 3 silk, 3 beads, 1 silk, 5 beads, 3 silk, X twice.

21st. 5 silk, 3 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 5 beads, 5 silk, 5 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 7 beads, 2 silk, X twice.

22nd. × 3 silk, 6 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 3 silk, 3 beads, 5 silk, 6 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 3 silk, 3 beads, 2 silk, X twice.

23rd. × 2 silk, 5 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 7 beads, 7 silk, 3 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 5 beads, 3 silk, x twice.

24th. 2 silk, 3 beads, 3 silk, 3 beads, 1 silk, 5 beads, 4 silk, 7 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 2 silk, 3 beads, 4 silk, X twice.

25th. 3 silk, 10 beads, 7 silk, 7 beads, 3 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 3 beads, 3 silk, x twice.

26th. 1 bead, 3 silk, 8 beads, 1 silk, 1 bead, 6 silk, 3 beads, 3 silk, 1 bead, 3 silk, 7 beads, 3 silk, X twice.

27th. x 1 bead, 6 silk, 4 beads, 3 silk, 2 beads, 4 silk, beads, 3 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 7 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, x twice.

28th. 2 silk, 1 bead, 13 silk, 9 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 2 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 4 beads, 3 silk, X twice.

29th. x 2 silk, 1 bead, 1 silk, 2 beads, 9 silk, 1 bead, 7 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 3 beads, * 1 silk, 2 beads, twice, 4 silk, X twice.

*

30th. x 3 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 7 silk, 3 beads, 6 silk, 2 beads, 2 silk, 4 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 7 silk, X twice.

31st. X 4 silk, 2 beads, * 1 silk, 2 beads, * twice, 2 silk, 1 bead, 6 silk, 3 beads, 1 silk, 5 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 7 silk, X twice.

32nd. X 2 silk, 4 beads, 2 silk, 2 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 1 silk, 1 bead, 6 silk, 6 beads, 1 silk, 5 beads, 7 silk, X twice.

33rd. 8 silk, 2 beads, 1 silk, 2 beads, 8 silk, 5 beads, 3 silk, 3 beads, 8 silk, X twice.

NEXT. X 2 with beads, 1 without, × all round, making one stitch.

3rd. 1 with bead, 2 without-all round. Two rounds of silk only, decreasing 1 stitch. 1st Pattern round. × 3 beads, 7 silk, × 8 times.

2nd. x 4 beads, 5 silk, 1 bead, × 8 times. 3rd. × 4 beads, 4 silk, 2 beads, × 8 times. 4th. The same.

x 8 times. 8th.

3 beads, 5 silk, 2 beads, × 8 times. 2 beads, 6 silk, 2 beads, × 8 times. 2 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, 3 silk, 2 beads,

4 beads, 5 silk, 1 bead, × 8 times. 9th. x 3 beads. 7 silk, x 8 times. 10th and 11th. Plain silk,

12th. 5 silk, 3 beads, 2 silk, × 8 times. 13th. x 4 silk, 5 beads, 1 silk, × 8 times. 14th. 3 silk, 6 beads, 1 silk, x 8 times. 15th. The same.

16th. x 3 silk, 5 beads, 2 silk, x 8 times. 17th. × 3 silk, 4 beads, 3 silk, x times. 18th. x 3 silk, 4 beads, 2 silk, 1 bead, x 8 times.

19th. 4 silk, 5 beads, 1 silk, x 8 times.
20th. Like 12th.

21st and 22nd. Plain silk, increasing one stitch.
23rd. A bead on every third stitch.
24th. A bead on every second and third stitch.
25th. A bead on every stitch.

Do two plain rounds, which complete the end. The centre is done in open square crochet, making a chain of 82 stitches. It should be twice as long as one end. When sewed to one end, slip on the rings before sewing it to the other. Work round the opening in s c, dropping a bead on every stitch, to make it more convenient.

Fasten on the garnitures.

This purse would be very pretty in green, with gold beads; but they should be round, not cut gold.