But then befell a dreadful thing; for she grew pale, and trembled, and
had well-nigh fallen upon the ground, scarce struggling to her chair.

And an old woman that was of her attendants set up a great cry, thinking
that Pan or some other god had smitten her. But when she saw that she
foamed at her mouth, and that her eyes rolled, and that there was no
blood left in her, she ran to tell Jason of the matter, and another
hastened to the King's chamber.

And then there came upon the maiden a greater woe than at the first, for
there came forth a marvellous stream of fire from the crown of gold that
was about her head, and all the while the robe devoured her flesh. Then
she rose from her seat, and ran through the house, tossing her hair, and
seeking to cast away the crown. But this she could not, for it clung to
her very closely. And at the last she fell dead upon the ground, sorely
disfigured so that none but her father only had known her. And all
feared to touch her, lest they should be devoured also of the fire.

But when the King was come, he cast himself upon the dead body, saying,
"O my child! what God hath so smitten thee? Why hast thou left me in my
old age?"

And when he would have lifted himself, the robe held him fast, and he
could not, though he struggled sorely. So he also died; and the two,
father and daughter, lay together dead upon the ground.

Now in the meanwhile the old man that had the charge of the boys led
them back to the house of the mother, and bade her rejoice, for that
they were released from the sentence of banishment, and that some day
she should also return by their means.