CONTENTS

[ INTRODUCTION ]
[ "HONEY-BEE" ]
[ I ] Which treats of the appearance of the country and serves as Introduction
[ II ] In which we learn what the white rose meant to the Countess of Blanchelande
[ III ] Wherein begins the love of George of Blanchelande and Honey-Bee of Claride
[ IV ] Which treats of Education in general, and George of Blanchelande’s in particular
[ V ] Which tells how the Duchess took Honeybee and George to the Hermitage, and of their encounter with a hideous old woman
[ VI ] Which tells of what can be seen from the Keep of Clarides
[ VII ] In which is described how George and Honey-Bee went to the lake
[ VIII ] Wherein we shall see what happened to George of Blanchelande because he approached the lake in which the nixies dwel
[ IX ] Wherein we shall see how Honey-Bee was taken to the dwarfs
[ X ] In which we are faithfully told how King Loc received Honey-Bee of Clarides
[ XI ] In which the marvels of the kingdom of the dwarfs are accurately described as well as the dolls that were given to Honey-Bee
[ XII ] In which the treasures of King Loc are described as well as the writer is able
[ XIII ] In which King Loc declares himself
[ XIV ] In which we are told how Honey-Bee saw her mother again, but could not embrace her
[ XV ] In which we shall see how King Loc suffered
[ XVI ] In which an account is given of the learned Nur who was the cause of such extraordinary joy to King Loc
[ XVII ] Which tells of the wonderful adventure of George of Blanchelande
[ XVIII ] In which King Loc undertakes a terrible journey
[ XIX ] Which tells of the extraordinary encounter of Jean the master tailor, and of the blessed song the birds in the grove sang to the duchess
[ XX ] Which treats of a little satin shoe
[ XXI ] In which a perilous adventure is described
[ XXII ] In which all ends well

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INTRODUCTION

It is an honour, but, also, a great responsibility, to introduce through the dangerous medium of a translation one of the most distinguished writers of our time, and, probably, the greatest living master of style, to a new world—the world of childhood. One is conscious that it is as impossible to translate the charm and art of Anatole France as it is to describe in dull, colourless words the exquisite perfume of the rose.

Such as this translation is I offer it with diffidence, realising that I have undertaken a difficult task. And yet I venture to do so for I long to make known to English and American children one of the loveliest and noblest of stories—a story overflowing with poetic imagination, wisdom and humour, divine qualities to which the heart of the child is always open as the flower to the dew.