Meantime, from the window the
Blue Bird, who had the eye of a lynx, sang aloud, "Beware, Florina!"
"You see, madam," said Florina, "even the spirits of the air take pity
upon me."
"I see that you are in league with demons; but your father shall judge
you;" and, very much frightened, the queen left her, and went to hold
counsel with Troutina as to what was to be done. They agreed to put in
Florina's chamber a waiting-maid, who should watch her from morning
till night. When the princess learnt this she was in great grief.
"Alas!" cried she, "I can no longer talk with my bird who loved me so;
and our love was consolation for all our misfortunes. What will he do?
What shall I do?" And she melted into floods of tears.
She dared not open the window, though she heard continually his wings
fluttering round it. For more than a month she waited; but the
serving-maid watched her night and day. At last, overcome with
weariness, the girl fell asleep, and then Florina opened her little
window, and sang in a low voice--
"Blue Bird, Blue Bird,
Come to my side."
The Blue Bird flew to the window-sill, and they lavished on one
another a hundred caresses, and talked together till dawn. Next night
it happened the same, till they began to hope that the waiting-maid,
who seemed to enjoy her sleep so much, would sleep every night to
come.
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