Said he, caressing it:
"This poor creature has put itself under my protection, and I will
allow no one to injure it." So he carried it to his palace, had
prepared for it a neat little rabbit-hutch, with abundance of the
daintiest food, such as rabbits love, and there he left it.
The same night, when he was alone in his chamber, there appeared to
him a beautiful lady. She was dressed neither in gold, nor silver, nor
brocade; but her flowing robes were white as snow, and she wore a
garland of white roses on her head. The Good King was greatly
astonished at the sight; for his door was locked, and he wondered how
so dazzling a lady could possibly enter; but she soon removed his
doubts.
"I am the Fairy Candide," said she, with a smiling and gracious air.
"Passing through the wood, where you were hunting, I took a desire to
know if you were as good as men say you are. I therefore changed
myself into a white rabbit, and took refuge in your arms. You saved
me, and now I know that those who are merciful to dumb beasts will be
ten times more so to human beings. You merit the name your subjects
give you: you are the Good King. I thank you for your protection, and
shall be always one of your best friends. You have but to say what you
most desire, and I promise you your wish shall be granted."
"Madam," replied the king, "if you are a fairy, you must know, without
my telling you, the wish of my heart.
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