第 4 节
作者:一米八      更新:2021-02-25 00:01      字数:2330
  put myself out of my pain by means of the Golden Fountain。  A
  single drop of its water falling on the sand around will trace
  the name of my rival in her heart。  I dread the test; and yet
  this very dread convinces me of my misfortune。'
  It may be imagined that after listening to these words the
  Invisible Prince followed Prince Gnome like his shadow; and after
  walking some time they arrived at the Golden Fountain。  The
  unhappy lover stooped down with a sigh; and dipping his finger in
  the water let fall a drop on the sand。  It instantly wrote the
  name of Prince Flame; his brother。  The shock of this discovery
  was so real; that Prince Gnome sank fainting into the arms of his
  friend。
  Meanwhile the Invisible Prince was turning over in his mind how
  he could best deliver Rosalie。  As; since he had been touched by
  the Giant's ring; he had the power to live in the water as well
  as on land; he at once dived into the fountain。  He perceived in
  one corner a door leading into the mountain; and at the foot of
  the mountain was a high rock on which was fixed an iron ring with
  a cord attached。  The Prince promptly guessed that the cord was
  used to chain the Princess; and drew his sword and cut it。  In a
  moment he felt the Princess's hand in his; for she had always
  kept her magic pebble in her mouth; in spite of the prayers and
  entreaties of the Prince of the Air to make herself visible。
  So hand in hand the invisible Prince and Rosalie crossed the
  mountain; but as the Princess had no power of living under water;
  she could not pass the Golden Fountain。  Speechless and invisible
  they clung together on the brink; trembling at the frightful
  tempest the Prince of the Air had raised in his fury。  The storm
  had already lasted many days when tremendous heat began to make
  itself felt。  The lightning flashed; the thunder rattled; fire
  bolts fell from heaven; burning up the forests and even the
  fields of corn。  In one instant the very streams were dried up;
  and the Prince; seizing his opportunity; carried the Princess
  over the Golden Fountain。
  It took them a long time still to reach the Golden Isle; but at
  last they got there; and we may be quite sure they never wanted
  to leave it any more。