reached the spot where the little maiden lay.

The rabbit waked up at the sound of their coming, but the child slept
till a loud cry of gladness awakened her and she found herself in her
father's arms.

In the night-time the king's brave soldiers had driven his enemies from
his land, and opened the doors of the prison-house in which he and the
queen lay, and the king had ridden with them in haste to find his
darling child, who was worth his crown and his kingdom.

The sight of her face was the sunshine to lighten their hearts, and they
sent the glad news far and near, with blast of trumpet and shouts of
joy.

But in all their great happiness the child did not forget the rabbit,
and she said to it, "Come with me and I will take care of you, for my
father the king is here." But the rabbit thanked her and wanted to go
home.

"My babies are waiting," it said, "and I have my work to do in the
world. I pray you let me go."

So the child kissed it and bade it go; and she, too, went to her own
dear home. There she grew lovelier every day, for the light grew with
her; and when, long years afterward, she was queen of the country, the
foxes and wolves and tigers dared not harm her people, for her good
knights drove evil from her land; but to loving gentle creatures she
gave love and protection, and she lived happily all the days of her
life.