All the household remarked how Marion had changed.
“I love her dearly!” said Rose; “she is so good and amiable.”
“So do I!” said a dozen voices.
Marion blushed deeply, and her eyes sparkled with pleasure. “How pleasant it is to be loved!” thought she.
At the end of the month she went to the grotto again. Again the Fairy Queen conducted her up the hill, and this time the Fairies in blue lowered their silver wands and flew away. The two travelled on, higher and higher. The path grew steeper and steeper, but the fragrant air became more delicious, and more distinctly was heard the sound of waters falling in music.
At length their course was stayed by a troop of Fairies clothed in rainbow robes, and holding silver wands tipped with gold. In face and form they were far more beautiful than anything Marion had yet seen.
“Here we must pause,” said the Queen. “This boundary you cannot yet pass.”
“Why not?” asked the impatient Marion.
“Because those who pass the Rainbow Fairies must be very pure,” replied the Queen.
“Am I not very pure?” asked the maiden. “All the people in the castle tell me how good I have grown.”