CHAPTER XI
Paz, taking a long breath, and looking at Leo to see the effect of hisnarrative, went on:
"It was quite time for me to be on land, for in the moonlight, whichbathed everything in silver, were to be seen troops of fays hurrying tothe festival. Some sailed along the shore in mussel shells, others wereon the backs of black swans whose bills looked like coral, and otherswere skimming along with their own gauzy wings, or lolling luxuriouslyon the feathers of flamingoes.
"I joined the ones on foot, and with them reached the plantation, whichpresented a scene of great brilliancy. Gold and silver ferns hedged therose-leaf path which led to the bower of beauty; on every leaf weremyriads of fireflies, and glowing from higher plants bearing many-huedflowers were Brazilian beetles. Plunging into the thicket, I made ahasty toilet at a brook-side, and then rejoined the advancing guests.The bell-bird could be heard clearly summoning our approach, whilesweetest warblers poured out their melody. The throne was formed of theSanto-Spirito flowers, and beneath the wings of its dove-like calyx wasthe lovely fay in whose honor was all this gayety, surrounded by heryoung companions.
"Approaching quickly, I unstrapped my package, took the satin case frommy pocket, and fell upon my knees in the customary manner; perceivingwhich, the beautiful being motioned for me to rise, and with the mostunassuming grace received my burden. As she unfolded the lace from itssilken cover a cry of delight escaped her, and shaking out its gossamerfolds she threw it over her head. With all the care I could use I hadlaid bare the block of ice, which shone like silver in the moonbeams,and now with a sudden blow of my dagger I cleft the ice, and lifted outthe wreath, placing it as I did so on the head of the fay.
"There was no time for ceremony. Had I waited to pass it from hand tohand of the attendants it would have been gone. There was a hush overall as I crowned the fay. Each snowy star stood out in perfect beauty.She alone could not see its peerless charm. But I had provided for this.Chipping off a thin layer of the ice-block, I laid a silver-lined leaffrom a neighboring bough behind it, and held this mirror before thefay's wondering eyes. Never have I seen anything so beautiful or sofleeting. Even as I held the reflected image before its reality, dropsas of dew began falling over the lace, and in a moment the wreath wasgone.
"Like a little child robbed of a treasure, the look of wonder anddelight gave place to one of bewildered disappointment. She turned aquestioning gaze upon me.
"'Alas!' said I, 'most sovereign lady, 'tis not in elfin power toreproduce this wreath; it was the emblem of human life, as brief, asfleeting. My Queen desired me to bring it. I have met with greatdifficulties in so doing, but none has saddened me like yourdisappointment.'
"With eager sweetness she bade her cavaliers respond. They assured me ofher gratitude and delight, and bade me welcome. The warbling birds againstarted their liquid strains, and a mazy dance began which resembled afluttering band of snowy butterflies tangled in a silvery web. Slippingoff, I came to the side of a lake on which were boats and Indian canoesof the moccasin flower. Here I rested, watching the measures of thedance, and taking little refreshing sips of cocoa-nut milk. Aswift-winged night-hawk having been placed at my disposal, I had a safeand speedy journey home."
"And is that all?" inquired Leo.
"Yes," said Paz, "for here comes Master Knops."
Leo thanked Paz warmly, and turned towards Knops, who, with hat in hand,stood gravely waiting to speak.
"Is it the wish of Prince Leo to make further explorations, or will henow return to his father and his home?"
With some self-reproach at having quite forgotten that he had a fatherand a home, Leo said he was ready to return.
"And may his humble servants, the distinguished savant Paz and theMaster Professor Knops, have the pleasant assurance of Prince Leo'ssatisfaction at this visit?" asked Knops, still in the most formalmanner.
"I cannot thank you half as I should like to do," replied Leo, "but Ihope to be able to show you that your entertainment and instruction havenot been wasted."
"Come, then, we will go."
"Adieu," said Paz. "Look out for me some fine frosty night when you areskating. You may think you see some of your furry friends startled outof their winter sleep, but just give a whistle, and say 'Paz,' and Iwill be with you."
"Good-bye," said Leo. "I hope it will be soon that I shall see you."
But Knops was off and he had to follow. Away they went, climbing andclambering, slipping and sliding, crawling and jumping, through forestsof coal, over mines of iron, and beside walls glittering with silver.Presently, however, Leo found himself where they had started from, viz.,his own cellar door, and Knops preparing to leave him. Dropping hisceremonious manner, he said:
"I am sorry to bid you farewell, my dear boy; I have become heartilyinterested in you and your welfare. The only souvenir I have to offer isthis little compass; it is a mere trifle, but the needle has the powerof finding precious metals. Learn how to make it useful. Good-bye."
Leo found himself alone. He pushed open the cellar door, and mounted thesteps to the kitchen. It was early morning, and the cocks were crowinglustily. The one old deaf woman was striving to make a fire burn, butthe wood was wet and she found it difficult.
"Where are all the people?" shouted Leo in her ear, for he well knew herinfirmity.
"Gone--all gone," she answered.
"And my father, where is he?"
"In bed yet, and he had better stay there, for I've no breakfast forhim."
Leo suspected what was the matter. Taking a basket from a peg, and abowl from the dresser, he went out into the fields. Everything wassodden with the rain, but the birds were singing with all their might;those that were not were repairing the ravages of the storm.
"Even the birds are busy at their nests," thought Leo; "everything,every creature, has its work to do. Shall I alone be idle? Never."
Putting aside the wet boughs, which sprinkled him well, he sought an oldtree-trunk for its store of honey. Filling his bowl with this, and hisbasket with fresh eggs, he returned to the monastery. Here he helped theold woman with the fire, and between them they soon had the kettlesteaming. The tray with his father's breakfast was made ready, and withhis own hands he took it to him.
"Leo, my long-lost son," exclaimed Morpheus at sight of him, "where haveyou spent the night?"
"In Dream-land," was Leo's reply; and then, without preface, he asked ofhis parent the privilege of looking over his accounts, and doing what hecould to assist him in his difficulties. Morpheus smiled indifferently,but gave Leo his keys, with permission to do as he pleased.
All the morning Leo puzzled his brain examining books and papers, withlittle result. Then he saddled his horse, rode into the nearest town,and sought a lawyer whom his father knew. To him he related theirgrievances, telling him that he was sure their property, well managed,could be made to yield handsome returns, and informing him of hiswonderful compass, which could indicate the presence of minerals. Thelawyer was not very sanguine, but he put a young clerk in charge of thematter, who, becoming much interested, looked up his residence at themonastery, and went to work with diligence. Under his guidance Leostudied and strove to regain their former prosperity. Laborers wereeager to resume their duties as soon as they saw the prospect ofpayment. Crops became abundant. By the aid of Leo's compass--which wasonly a scientific novelty yet to be discovered--mines were opened andvast wealth displayed.
And Leo had become a different lad. No longer idle and careless, withslow and lingering tread, he was now alert, vigorous, and manly. Theservants were glad to return and obey his wishes. The monastery wasrebuilt and repaired. Lawns and gardens were in trim array. Warmtapestries and curtains lined the bare walls and windows, while ivy androse clambered without.
Even Morpheus, roused from his invalidism, rewrote his poems, sent themto a publisher, and favored all his friends with copies bound in bluevelvet, with his monogram in silver on the covers. His pride in his sonbecame so great that at Leo's request he
undertook to renew the library,and the time that he had spent in bed was devoted to the step-ladder. Itwas in this way he discovered that their name had been incorrectlywritten. For his own part he did not care to make any change, but heinsisted that Leo should use the portion omitted, which an old copy ofthe Doomsday-book had revealed to him, and sign himself in full, "LeoSans Lazybones."
Christmas was approaching; not a green Christmas, but an icy, snowy,frozen one, with holly wreaths on his shoulders and a plum-pudding inhis hands.
The monastery was full of guests, relatives of Morpheus. These guestswere all poor--in one way--but they had a wealth of their own which madethem delightful to Leo. They were poets and painters and scribblers, andas merry as larks; and as they all admired each others productions,there was no end of cheerful nonsense. The children, however, were thebrightest of all. Each child was as merry as it was lovely, and thepainters were almost frantic in their efforts to make Christmas cards ofthem, while the poets cudgelled their brains for rhymes.
To prevent too much industry in that way, Leo had induced them all toput on their skates on Christmas-eve, and glide over the frozen ponds,while he made ready the tree which stood in the great hall.
It was an immense spruce, all powdered with silvery fringe, and Leo hadonly to tie on the little gilt tags numbered to correspond with thepackages of gifts, which were heaped on surrounding tables, and fastenon the candles of red and blue wax. When this was done he put on his ownskates, for it was yet too early to light the tree, and away he wentskimming after the shouting, laughing crowd of friends and relatives.
Suddenly a squirrel darted from its hole, and went scudding across theriver. Leo started in pursuit, giving a low whistle. Instantly itstopped, sat upon its haunches, threw off its skin, and out stepped Paz.
"Good-evening, my dear Prince, good-evening; we are well met; just intime to exchange Christmas greetings. I have been looking for youlately, but you seemed always so occupied that there was no chance forme. You have no idea how pleased Knops is to hear of your prosperity. Hehas sent for me a dozen times lately merely to express his satisfaction;and he wants me to ask a favor of you, which I know already you willgrant."
"Anything in my power, dear Paz," replied Leo, eagerly.
"Of course; and we know how good a use you make of your power. Timesare greatly changed. You are benefiting every one about you; I hear iton all sides. We are proud to be your friends. All that Knops asks isthat in clearing up your property, and cutting down all the rank growthof weeds, you will spare a patch of wild-flowers here and there, and allthe empty birds' nests. Leave these for the use of our children, and wewill be greatly obliged."
"But that is a mere nothing; can I in any other way serve you?" askedLeo.
"No," said Paz, "not that I know of. I am on my way now to see some newminerals supposed to be similar to those of the moon. I haven't muchfaith in them."
"How about the diamonds?"
"Don't mention them. I shall never try my hand at those again; and you,if you are wise, will be contented to let Nature remain her own chemist.Adieu. A very merry Christmas to you."
"The same to you," echoed Leo, but Paz was already muffled in his fursand running rapidly away.
PHIL'S FAIRIES