He persuaded King Charming that, overcome with fear
and cruel treatment, Florina must have betrayed him.
"Then do as you will with me!" cried the king. "Put me into a cage and
take me back with you. I shall at least be safe there for the five
years that are to be endured."
"But," said the enchanter, "can you remain five years in so
undignified a position? And you have enemies who will assuredly seize
on your kingdom."
"Why can I not return and govern it as before?"
"I fear," replied his friend, "that the thing is difficult. Who would
obey a Blue Bird?"
"Ah, that is too true!" cried the king, sadly, "People only judge by
the outside."
Meantime Florina, overcome with grief, fell dangerously sick, and in
her sickness she kept singing, day and night, her little song--
"Blue Bird, Blue Bird,
Come to my side."
But no one regarded her.
At last a sudden change took place in her fortunes. The king her
father died, and the people, who knew she was his heir, began to
inquire, with one accord, where was the Princess Florina? They
assailed the palace in crowds, demanding her for their sovereign. The
riot became so dangerous that Troutina and her mother fled away to the
fairy Soussio. Then the populace stormed the tower, rescued the sick
and almost dying princess, and crowned her as their queen.
The exceeding care that was taken of her, and her longing to live in
order to see again her Blue Bird, restored Florina's health, and gave
her strength to call a council and arrange all the affairs of her
kingdom.
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