"What purpose will it answer to tell you?"

"If they appear to me less horrid than I conjecture, perhaps—I do not know——"

Then the princess, frightened at what she had said, put her hand over her eyes and exclaimed,—

"No, no, leave me—go—and never more return. I will never see you again! Begone!"

"Forgive me, godmother!"

"No, begone, I tell you!"

"Well, then, I will tell you by what means."

And Iris lowered her voice, awaiting with anxiety another order to go.

Paula remained silent.

Iris continued,—