they were all gathered about the font, she contrived to get next to
it, and throw something into the water; after which she maintained
a very respectful demeanour till the water was applied to the
child's face. But at that moment she turned round in her place
three times, and muttered the following words, loud enough for
those beside her to hear:--


"Light of spirit, by my charms,
Light of body, every part,
Never weary human arms--
Only crush thy parents' heart!"


They all thought she had lost her wits, and was repeating some
foolish nursery rhyme; but a shudder went through the whole of them
notwithstanding. The baby, on the contrary, began to laugh and
crow; while the nurse gave a start and a smothered cry, for she
thought she was struck with paralysis: she could not feel the baby
in her arms. But she clasped it tight and said nothing. The
mischief was done.



3. She Can't Be Ours.


Her atrocious aunt had deprived the child of all her gravity. If
you ask me how this was effected, I answer, "In the easiest way in
the world. She had only to destroy gravitation." For the princess