The Tapestry Room: A Child's Romance

BULL-(Co

nd

an old-wor

ew Ar

d the queen, 'there is no kn

king; 'she might imagine it her duty

t her suspicions were aroused afresh by the sight this time of the weeping Bruna. For nothing else could be suggested than again to try to deceive the monster; and Bruna, a still prettier girl than the gardener's daughter, was this

be by this, king's

ul to have a moment's

red. It must be about the time that my mother takes all the

time shaking the henwife's daughter roughly, at the end flinging her to the gro

y the ravages and the terrors began again, and Bruna fo

ess, and as she listened a strange look of

ems. Let me go myself, my parents. Trust me to do my best. And, at worst, if I perish, it will be in a good cause. Better it sho

selves obliged to do as she directed. A messenger was sent to the monster to inform him, for the third time, t

th her golden balls, and endeavoured to comfort her sorrowful parents, and was so brave and hopef

they said to each other. 'Who knows but what the fairy's prediction may

ncess, laughing, for she had ofte

court looked at her in astonishment, admiring her courage, but

eps leading down from them appeared the young Princess, pale but resolute, her fair hair floating over her shoulders, her golden balls flashing as she slowly walked down the steps, tossing them as she went. And, unlike the false princesses, she was dressed entirely in black, without a single

no need to catch hold of his horns to keep herself from falling, his step was so even. And all along as she r

to feel it painfully, they entered a forest, where the green shade of the summer trees made a pleasant shelter. And when they came out from the fores

h deep, that the Princess started with surprise, 'what h

nd ready; 'brown bull, it is getting late. By now must the king and queen, my father and mother, be sitting down to thei

ULL OF NORR

ncess,' said the bull in the

t without knowing it her pretty head drooped lower and lower, and at last she la

strange dream. Some one lifted her gently and laid her on a couch, it seemed

icious mossy couch, and the softest and driest moss had been gathered together for a pillow, and beside her a cup of fresh milk and a cake of oaten bread were lying for her breakfast. How had all this been done for her? she asked herself, as she ate with a very good appetite, for she had had no food since the morning before. She began to t

t him as she spoke. He tossed his head, and to he

again, and he had

ed his head; and no one who had seen the soft pathetic look which crept into his large round eyes would have believed in his being the cruel monster he had been described. He

less tired and frightened. And when the sun grew hot the bull was sure to find a sheltered path, where the tre

d a far-off rushing sound, that as the

l?' she asked, feeling so

ound him. Yes, the sun had sunk, he might sp

he sea that is to bear you an

e cross it, brown

down your head and shut your eye

him, with a gasp and a snort, strike out boldly. The Princess drew herself up on the bull's back as closely as she could; she had no wish to get wet. But she was not frightened. She grew accustomed to the motion of her great steed's swimming, and as she kept her eyes f

hing she had ever dreamt of. The loveliest flowers were trained against the walls, here and there fountains of delicately scented waters refreshed the air, the floor was covered with carpets of the richest hues and the softest texture. There were birds singing among the flowers, gold and silver fish sporting in the marble basins-it was a perfect fairy's bower. The Princess sat up and looked about her. There was no one to be seen, not a sound but the dropping of the fountains and the soft chatter of the birds. The Princess admired it all exceedingly, but she was very hungry, and as her long sleep had completely refreshed her, she fel

aughing at the idea. And she added aloud, 'Come if you like, Mr. Bull

a voice which somehow seem

not have entered your presence as I do now,' and looking up, she saw, comi

to herself as coming on a splendid horse, with his followers around him in gallant attire, to ask her of her parents. He was well made and manly, with a

'I thought I should see

rced for ten years to wear a frightful and hideous disguise, and to behave like a rough and surly bull

u, Princess, have transformed me. H

If it has served you in good stead, that for me is reward enough. But,' she added, 'I wish I had

r attire she happened to be. And then they ate their supper with a good appetite, though it seemed strange to th

pper a new id

here she always carried her balls, and flinging it across the table to the Prince with her usual

sent off the second, crying again 'Catch,' he return

ittle while. 'Yes, I see that you are a true Prince,' for str

owing them higher and higher without ever missing,

tarted from his seat, and h

said; 'my hour of

s, for she had found the Prince a very pleasant

g to cry, and the Prince looked

vil fairy who had vowed to revenge herself on his parents for some fancied insult to her. He had been forced to take the form of a bull and to spread terror wherever he went; and the power of this spell w

med the Princess joyfully. '

ur goodness continues so long, all will indeed be right. But during that time it will be necessary for you to live alone, except for the three hours I can pass with you, in this enchanted palace of mine. No

the Princess, 'nothing to short

so would only cause fearful troubles. I drop my hated

here, though the Princess had not before obs

ncess, clenching her pretty ha

ss,' he said. 'Never breathe such words. Any ras

d the Prince

voice, 'For me they would be such. In such a

er that the Prince's manners were really not to be found fault with, and she promised hi

and shawls, ribbons and feathers, and jewels of every conceivable kind in far greater abundance than so sensible a young lady found at all necessary. But believing all these pretty things to be provided to please her by the Prince's desire, she endeavoured to amuse herself with them, and found it rather interesting for the first time in her life to have to choose for herself. Her breakfasts and dinners, and everything conceivable in the shape of delicate and delicious food, appeared whenever she wished for anything of the kind; invisible hands opened the windows and shut

e his appearance, but to his guest's d

sfortune threaten

y to learn your decision. Never in all these terrible years has my suffering been gr

n wanting to decide her, the deep pity which she no

ble to amuse myself with all the charming things with which I am surrounded. Besides

nted balls, and the evening passed so quickly that the princess could hardly believe more than one hour instead of three had gone, when he started up, saying his time was over. It was sad to see hi

she was to be the means of freeing him from the power of the terrible spell,

ow the horizon, and the three hours they spent together made amends to both for the loneliness of the rest of the day. And whenever the Princess felt inclined to murmur, she renewed her patience and courage by the thought of how much harder to bear was the Prince's share of t

Several times she had wandered up and down the path by which he generally approached the castle, tossing her balls as she went, for more than once he had seen their glitter from a distance, and known by it that she was waiting. But this evening she waited and watched