"
The queen, uncertain what to do, broke the second egg, and there flew
out two pigeons harnessed to a fine chariot, in which Florina mounted,
and descended lightly over the mirror to the valley's foot. "Now, my
pretty pigeons," said she, "will you convey me to the palace of King
Charming?" The obedient pigeons did so, flying day and night till they
reached the city gates; when the queen dismissed them with a sweet
kiss, which was worth more than her crown.
How her heart beat as she entered, and begged to see the king! "You!"
cried the servants mocking. "Little peasant-girl, your eyes are not
half good enough to see the king. Besides, he is going to-morrow to
the temple with the Princess Troutina, whom he has at last agreed to
marry."
Florina sat down on a door-step, and hid her face under her straw hat
and her drooping hair. "Alas!" she cried, "my Blue Bird has forsaken
me."
She neither ate nor slept, but rose with the dawn, and pushed her way
through the guards to the temple, where she saw two thrones, one for
King Charming, and the other for Troutina. They arrived shortly; he
more charming and she more repulsive than ever. Knitting her brows,
Troutina exclaimed, "What creature is that who dares approach so near
my golden throne?"
"I am a poor peasant-girl," said Florina. "I come from afar to sell
you curiosities.
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