The king was told of his wife's fate and submitted to it, which,
as he could do nothing to help it, was the only course open to
him.

The fairies then all dispersed, Placida taking her slave with
her, and on reaching her palace she said: ‘You ought by rights to
be scullion, but as you have been delicately brought up the
change might be too great for you. I shall therefore only order
you to sweep my rooms carefully, and to wash and comb my little
dog.'

Mutinosa felt there was no use in disobeying, so she did as she
was bid and said nothing.

After some time she gave birth to a most lovely little girl, and
when she was well again the fairy gave her a good lecture on her
past life, made her promise to behave better in future, and sent
her back to the king, her husband.

Placida now gave herself up entirely to the little princess who
was left in her charge. She anxiously thought over which of the
fairies she would invite to be godmothers, so as to secure the
best gift, for her adopted child.

At last she decided on two very kindly and cheerful fairies, and
asked them to the christening feast. Directly it was over the
baby was brought to them in a lovely crystal cradle hung with red
silk curtains embroidered with gold.

The little thing smiled so sweetly at the fairies that they