hope you will be very happy and enjoy the freedom I have won for
you.'

The Princess thanked her heartily, and then the Fairy despatched
one of her peacocks to her palace to bring a gorgeous robe for
Mayblossom, who certainly needed it, for her own was torn to shreds
by the thorns and briars. Another peacock was sent to the Admiral
to tell him that he could now land in perfect safety, which he at
once did, bringing all his men with him, even to Jack-the-Chatterer,
who, happening to pass the spit upon which the Admiral's dinner
was roasting, snatched it up and brought it with him.

Admiral Cocked-Hat was immensely surprised when he came
upon the golden chariot, and still more so to see two lovely ladies
walking under the trees a little farther away. When he reached
them, of course he recognised the Princess, and he went down on
his knees and kissed her hand quite joyfully. Then she presented
him to the Fairy, and told him how Carabosse had been finally
routed, and he thanked and congratulated the Fairy, who was most
gracious to him. While they were talking she cried suddenly:

`I declare I smell a savoury dinner.'

`Why yes, Madam, here it is,' said Jack-the-Chatterer, holding
up the spit, where all the pheasants and partridges were frizzling.
`Will your Highness please to taste any of them?'

`By all means,' said the Fairy, `especially as the Princess will
certainly be glad of a good meal.'