At length she spoke. The words came slowly, and there was an intent expression upon her face, as if she were listening to indistinct sounds.
“I hear the distant moaning of the sea. I hear the dash of waves upon the shore. I see the tall beach-grass bending in the breeze. Shells lie upon the sands,—pink, purple, and white. Their gleaming is beautiful in the sunlight. White-sailed ships go by. A boat is tossing upon the waves. A noble boy pulls the oar. Brave and handsome as a young prince. How boldly he guides the boat! It touches the shore. A little girl runs smiling to meet him! Her fair curls stream in the wind. Her teeth are like pearls; her eye is like the violet; her cheek like the rose. Gayly flutter her green robes. The boy is glad to see the little girl, running to meet him. He calls out to her, ‘Rosebud! Rosebud!’”
The queen had stood, bending forward, her eyes fastened upon the withered face before her, hardly daring to breathe, lest some precious word be lost. Her excitement grew every moment more intense, and when the last word, “Rosebud!” was spoken, she uttered a cry of joy, and sank, half fainting, to the ground.
Upon recovering, the Lily Queen found herself alone in the hovel. No dark-robed old woman or pretty white lamb was to be seen. Neither could it be told how long she had lain there.
But she felt sure that, during the time, a form had bent over her, and spoken these words:—
“Travel towards the setting sun, as far as the shores of Silver Lake. From this lake flows a stream. Follow this stream to the sea.”
CHAPTER XIV.
A LONG JOURNEY.
KING BRONDÉ had been so often disappointed, that he was, at first, unwilling to set forth upon so very doubtful a journey; and especially as no person could be found who could tell in what direction lay this unknown Silver Lake.
In order, however, to divert the mind of the queen, he laid aside his doubts, and commanded that preparations for travelling be made at once.
The grand state coach, all covered with gold and silver, and drawn by twenty white horses, was got in readiness, and also other magnificent coaches; for many lords and nobles of the court were to go in attendance, and also a band of soldiers.