Branch." "You know the road to it then?" said her mousefied highness. "Know it, Madam?—as well as I do that to my own house," replied the other. "It is a wonderful branch; a single leaf of it is sufficient to make one rich for ever. It supplies you with money, it dispels enchantments, it gives beauty, and preserves youth. We must set out to-morrow before day-break." "We will have the honour to accompany you, ladies," said the grasshopper, "if you have no objection; I and an honest cricket whom you see here, for we as well as you are pilgrims to the Golden Branch." A great many compliments immediately passed between them, for the mice were princesses, whom the wicked Enchanter had tied to his table, and the high breeding of the cricket and the grasshopper was always apparent whatever might be their situation. They all woke very early. They set out in solemn silence, for they were afraid some sportsman on the look out, hearing them speak, would catch them, and put them into a cage; and in due time they arrived at the Golden Branch. It was planted in the middle of a wonderful garden. The walks, in lieu of sand, were strown with small oriental pearls rounder than peas. The roses were crimson-coloured diamonds, and the leaves were emeralds; the blossoms of the pomegranates were garnets; the marigolds were topazes; the jonquils, yellow brilliants; and the violets, sapphires; the blue-bells, turquoises; the tulips, amethysts, opals, and diamonds. In short, the number and variety of these beautiful flowers dazzled more than the sun.
Here, then, (as I have already told you,) was the Golden Branch, the same that Prince Sans-pair received from the Eagle, and with which he touched the Fairy Benigne when she was enchanted. It had grown as high as the highest trees around it, and was covered with rubies in the form of cherries. As soon as the cricket, the grasshopper, and the two mice approached it, they recovered their natural forms. What joy, what transports filled the breast of the fond Prince, at the sight of his beautiful shepherdess! He flung himself at her feet. He was about to express to her all he felt at so agreeable and unhoped-for a surprise, when Queen Benigne and King Trasimene appeared in matchless pomp, for everything corresponded with the magnificence of the garden. Four cupids, armed cap-à-pié, with bows at their
