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Sybella then striking the ground three times with a little wand； there suddenly rose up before them a neat plain car； and a pair of milk…white horses； and placing the queen with the Princess Hebe in her lap by her side； she drove with excessive swiftness full westward for eight hours； when （just as the sun began to have power enough to make the queen almost faint with the heat and her former fatigue） they arrived at the side of a shady wood； upon entering of which； the fairy made her horses slacken in their speed； and having travelled about a mile and a half； through rows of elms and beech trees； they came to a thick grove of firs； into which there seemed to be no entrance。 For there was not any opening to a path； and the underwood consisting chiefly of rose…bushes； white…thorn； eglantine； and other flowering shrubs； was so thick； that it appeared impossible to attempt forcing through them。 But alighting out of the car （which immediately disappeared） the fairy （bidding the queen follow her） pushed her way through a large bush of jessamine； whose tender branches gave way for their passage and then closed again； so as to leave no traces of an entrance into this charming grove。
Having gone a little way through an extreme narrow path； they came into an opening （quite surrounded by these firs and sweet underwood） not very large； but in which was contained everything that is necessary towards making life comfortable。 At the end of a green meadow was a plain neat house； built more for convenience than beauty； fronting the rising sun； and behind it was a small garden； stored only with fruits and useful herbs。 Sybella conducted her guests into this her simple lodging； and as repose was the chief thing necessary for the poor fatigued queen； she prevailed with her to lie down on a couch。 Some hours' sound sleep； which her weariness induced； gave her a fresh supply of spirits； the ease and safety from her pursuers； in which she then found herself； made her for a short time tolerably composed； and she begged the favour of knowing to whom she was so greatly obliged for this her happy deliverance； but the fairy seeing her mind too unsettled to give any due attention to what she should say； told her that she would defer the relation of her own life （which was worth her observation） till she had obtained a respite from her own sorrows； and in the meantime； by all manner of obliging ways； she endeavoured to divert and amuse her。
The queen； after a short interval of calmness of mind； occasioned only by her so sudden escape from the terrors of pursuit； returned to her former dejection； and for some time incessantly wept at the dismal thought； that the princess seemed now； by this reverse of fate； to be for ever excluded all hopes of being seated on her father's throne； and； by a strange perverse way of adding to her own grief； she afflicted herself the more； because the little princess was ignorant of her misfortune； and whenever she saw her diverting herself with little childish plays； instead of being pleased with such her innocent amusement； it added to her sorrow； and made her tears gush forth in a larger stream than usual。 She could not divert her thoughts from the palace from which she had been driven； to fix them on any other object； nor would her grief suffer her to reflect； that it was possible for the princess to be happy without a crown。
At length time； the great cure of all ills； in some measure abated her Sorrows； her grief began to subside； in spite of herself； the reflection that her misery was only in her own fancy； would sometimes force itself on her mind。 She could not avoid seeing； that her little hostess enjoyed as perfect a state of happiness as is possible to attain in this world； that she was free from anxious cares； undisturbed by restless passions； and mistress of all things that could be of any use to make life easy or agreeable。 The oftener this reflection presented itself to her thoughts； the more strength it gained； and； at last； she could even bear to think； that her beloved child might be as happy in such a situation； as was her amiable hostess。 Her countenance now grew more cheerful； she could take the Princess Hebe in her arms； and thinking the jewels she had preserved would secure her from any fear of want； look on her with delight； and began even to imagine； that her future life might be spent in calm content and pleasure。
As soon as the voice of reason had gained this power over the queen； Sybella told her； that now her bosom was so free from passion； she would relate the history of her life。 The queen； overjoyed that her curiosity might now be gratified； begged her not to delay giving her that pleasure one moment； on which our little fairy began in the following manner。
But there Mrs。 Teachum told Miss Jenny that the bell rung for dinner； on which she was obliged to break off。 But meeting again in the same arbour in the evening； when their good mistress continued to them the favour of her presence； Miss Jenny pursued her story。
THE FAIRY TALE CONTINUED。
'My father；' said the fairy； 'was a magician： he married a lady for love； whose beauty far outshone that of all her neighbours； and by means of that beauty； she had so great an influence over her husband； that she could command the utmost power of his art。 But better had it been for her； had that beauty been wanting； for her power only served to make her wish for more； and the gratification of every desire begot a new one； which often it was impossible for her to gratify。 My father； though he saw his error in thus indulging her； could not attain steadiness of mind enough to mend it； nor acquire resolution enough to suffer his beloved wife once to grieve or shed a tear to no purpose； though in order to cure her of that folly which made her miserable。
'My grandfather so plainly saw the temper and disposition of his son towards women； that he did not leave him at liberty to dispose of his magic art to any but his posterity； that it might not be in the power of a wife to tease him out of it。 But his caution was to very little purpose； for although my mother could not from herself exert any magic power； yet such was her unbounded influence over her husband； that she was sure of success in every attempt to persuade him to gratify her desires。 For if every argument she could invent happened to fail； yet the shedding but one tear was a certain method to prevail with him to give up his reason； whatever might be the consequence。
'When my father and mother had been married about a year； she was brought to bed of a daughter； to whom she gave the name of Brunetta。 Her first request to my father was； that he would endow this infant with as much beauty as she herself was possessed of； and bestow on her as much of his art as should enable her to succeed in all her designs。 My father foresaw the dreadful tendency of granting this request； but said he would give it with this restriction； that she should succeed in all her designs that were not wicked； for； said he； the success of wicked designs always turns out as a punishment to the person so succeeding。 In this resolution he held for three days； till my mother （being weak in body after her lying…in） worked herself with her violent passions to such a degree； that the physicians told my father； they despaired of her life； unless some method could be found to make her mind more calm and easy。 His fondness for his wife would not suffer him to bear the thoughts of losing her； and the horror with which that apprehension had but for a moment possessed his mind； prevailed with him to bestow on the little Brunetta （though foreseeing it would make her miserable） the fatal gift in its full extent。 But one restriction it was out of his power to take off； namely； that all wicked designs ever could and should be rendered ineffectual by the virtue and perseverance of those against whom they were intended； if they in a proper manner exerted that virtue。
'I was born in two years after Brunetta； and was called Sybella： but my mother was so taken up with her darling Brunetta； that she gave herself nut the least concern about me； and I was left wholly to the care of my father。 In order to make the gift she had extorted from her fond husband as fatal as possible to her favourite child； she took care in her education （by endeavouring to cultivate in her the spirit of revenge and malice against those who had in the least degree offended her） to turn her mind to all manner of mischief； by which means she lived in a continual passion。
'My father； as soon as I was old enough to hearken to reason； told me of the gift he had conferred on my sister； said he could not retract it； and therefore； if she had any mischievous designs against me； they must in some measure succeed； but she would endow me with a power superior to this gift of my sister's； and likewise superior to any thing else that he was able to bestow； which was strength and constancy of mind enough to bear patiently any injuries I might receive； and this was a strength； he said； which would not decay； but rather increase； by every new exercise of it； and； to secure me in the possession of this gift； he likewise gave me a perfect knowledge of