[Illustration]
"I am not going to scold you," she said, "although it is through not
following my advice that you are in this misfortune, for it goes to
my heart to see you thus. I cannot release you altogether from this
enchantment, but I have power to shorten the time, and also to say
that during the night you may regain your rightful form, but by day
again must you run through the forest as a Fawn." The fairy also told
them where they could find a little hut in which to pass the nights.
Then she disappeared. Giroflee and the Fawn walked in the direction
the Fairy had pointed out, and arrived at a neat little cottage where
an old woman showed them a room which they could occupy.
As soon as it was night Desiree came to her rightful form, but when
day appeared she was once more a Fawn and, escaping into the thicket,
commenced to run about in the ordinary way.
You have heard how Prince Guerrier rested in the forest while
Becafigue searched for fruit; quite late in the evening Becafigue
arrived at the cottage of the good woman who had given shelter to
Giroflee and the White Fawn. He addressed her politely and asked for
the things he required for his master.
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