Mirtain went and told the Prince all that the shepherdess had said, and how ardently she desired the restoration of his health. "Thou seekest to flatter me," said Constancio to him; "but I forgive thee,—and I would fain, even though I should deceive myself, endeavour to fancy that this lovely girl has some affection for me. Go to the Queen; tell her that one of her shepherdesses possesses a wonderful secret which may cure me. Obtain permission to bring her hither. Run, fly, Mirtain! minutes will appear ages to me!"
The Queen had never seen the shepherdess of whom Mirtain spoke; and answered that she had no faith in the knowledge affected by such ignorant little girls; and that it was mere folly to think of it. "It is certain, Madam," said he, "that one may sometimes find more relief from the application of simples than from all that is contained in the pages of Esculapius. The Prince suffers so much that he is anxious to test the effect of what this young girl proposes." "Be it so," said the Queen; "but if she do not cure him, I will punish her so severely, that she will never have the audacity to boast of her pretended remedies again." Mirtain returned to his master, and informed him of the Queen's ill-humour, and that he feared the result of it to Constancia. "I would rather die!" exclaimed the Prince. "Return instantly; tell my mother, I entreat her to let that lovely girl remain with her innocent sheep. What a recompense is this," he continued, "for the trouble she would take! The very idea of it redoubles my disorder."
Mirtain ran to the Queen, to beg her, in the Prince's name, not to send for Constancia; but as she was naturally very hasty, she flew into a passion at his vacillation. "I have already sent for her," said the Queen: "if she cure my son I will make her some present; if she fail, I know what I have to do. Return to him, and endeavour to amuse him; the state of melancholy he is in distracts me." Mirtain obeyed her commands, and took care not to tell his master the temper the Queen was in, for his anxiety about his shepherdess might have killed him.
The royal pastures were so near the city that she was not long coming, let alone the impulse she received from a passion which generally increases one's speed. As soon as she reached the palace, the Queen was informed of her arrival; but she
