Princes to theirs, Cheri descended, took his horse out of the stable, mounted him, and set out without saying a word to any one. This news threw the charming family into great consternation. The King, who could not forget them, sent to beg they would come and dine with him; they replied that their brother had just left them, that they should feel neither happy nor comfortable without him; and that when he returned they would not fail to pay their duty at the palace. The Princess was inconsolable; the dancing water and the singing apple had no longer any charms for her; nothing was amusing to her while Cheri was absent. The Prince went wandering through the world, asking every one he met if they could tell him where he could find the little green bird that told everything: the greater number knew nothing about it, but he met with a venerable old man, who took him home with him and kindly examined a globe, the study of which was part of his profession as well as his amusement. He then told him it was in a frozen climate, situated upon the top of a frightful rock, and showed him the route he must take. The Prince, in gratitude for this information, gave him a little bag, full of large pearls, that had fallen from his hair; and, taking leave of him, continued his journey.
At length, at dawn of day, he perceived the rock, which was very high and very steep, and upon the summit of it was the bird, speaking like an oracle, telling wonderful things. He thought that with a little dexterity it would be easy to catch it, for it seemed very tame. It went and came, hopping lightly from one point of the rock to another. The Prince got off his horse, and climbed up very quietly, notwithstanding the roughness of the ascent, promising himself the pleasure of gratifying extremely his dear Belle-Etoile.
He was so close to the green bird, that he thought he could lay hands on it, when suddenly the rock opened, and he fell into a spacious hall as motionless as a statue; he could neither stir, nor utter a complaint of his deplorable situation. Three hundred knights who had made the same attempt were in the same state. To look at each other was the only thing permitted them.
The time seemed so long to Belle-Etoile, and still no signs of her beloved Cheri, that she fell dangerously ill. The
