He continued his journey, and reached a great city, in which there lived a queen who delighted in filling her court with the handsomest people in her kingdom. Leander, on his arrival, set up the most splendid equipage that was ever seen. He had only to shake his rose, and obtain as much money as he wished for. It is easy to imagine that, being handsome, young, witty, and above all, magnificent, the queen and princesses received him with a thousand marks of esteem and consideration.
This court was one of the most gallant in the universe. Not to be in love was to be ridiculous. Leander desired to be in the fashion, and fancied he could amuse himself by falling in love, and that when he departed he could leave his passion behind him as easily as his equipage. He cast his eyes on one of the queen's maids of honour, who was called the beautiful Blondine. She was a very accomplished person, but so cold and so grave, that he was puzzled how to gain her favour.
He gave enchanting fêtes in her honour; balls and plays every evening; brought her the rarest presents from every part of the globe: but nothing seemed to move her, and the more indifferent she appeared to him, the more he exerted himself to please her. What fascinated him still more was, the belief that she had never loved any one. To be satisfied on this point, it occurred to him to try the power of his rose. He placed it, jestingly, on the bosom of Blondine, and immediately, fresh and blooming as it was, it became faded and withered. It needed nothing further to convince Leander that he had a favoured rival. He felt the mortification keenly, and to have ocular demonstration, he that evening wished himself in Blondine's apartment. He saw a musician introduced, who was one of the ugliest beings possible. He howled three or four verses which he had composed for her, the words and air of which were equally detestable; but she enjoyed them as if they were the finest things she had ever heard in her life. She praised all his frantic grimaces, so much was she taken with him; and finally permitted the filthy fellow to kiss her hand. The outraged Sprite flung himself on the impertinent musician, and, pushing him violently against the balcony, threw him into the garden, knocking out the few teeth he had left in his head.
If a thunderbolt had fallen on Blondine she could not have
