"I don't know," replied Daphne, contracting her pretty brows, "I can't imagine him any different." And then she laughed. "It's not a bit of use trying to put me out of conceit with him, Court Godmother--so you may as well give it up!" The Fairy was satisfied at last; Daphne had stood the test triumphantly, and the time had come for her to be told of the reward that awaited her. "I am far from wishing to lower him in your eyes, my child," she said. "On the contrary, I may now tell you that he possesses advantages you little dream of. And though true love may be inspired without the aid of wealth, rank, or good looks, there was never a maiden yet who--but I perceive," she broke off with offended dignity, "that I am not so fortunate as to have secured your attention!" They had left the yew walk by this time and entered an avenue of ilexes, beyond which lay the valley and distant hills. "I'm so sorry, Court Godmother," said Daphne, whose eyes were fixed on the view, "but--but doesn't Drachenstolz lie over there?" "It does," said the Fairy drily, "though I fail to see why that should interest you just now." "I--I can see something flying," explained Daphne. "It _may_ be only a vulture--a _large_ vulture." "A vulture--where?" cried the old Fairy. "Nonsense. It's your fancy, child. _I_ see nothing." "It _is_ a dragon!" faltered Daphne. "Can't you see it now? It's coming towards us! And oh, I'm afraid the Count has sent it--like that snake--to--to kill me!" A dragon was a danger which the Fairy, with all her precautions, had somehow omitted to foresee, and for a time she exhibited about as much calmness and self-possession as a hen at a fox-raid. "Heaven preserve us!" she wailed. "If we were but safe at Clairdelune! What can we do?" "Hide," said Daphne, trembling. "Quick! In the undergrowth!" "It would spy us out from above," groaned the Fairy. "No, we must run for the Pavilion and shelter there." Daphne seized her hand and they ran together, but they had not gone far before the Court Godmother suddenly collapsed. "My old legs fail me!" she said, "I can go no further! Run on, child, while you can!" "And leave you!" cried Daphne. "No, I shan't do that! But oh, can't you do _anything_ to save us! Think!" The Fairy rose to her feet, shaking all over. "I knew a spell once," she mumbled. "I never tried it--but if I could only remember it now, it might--But I can't--I'm too old--too old! That all my plans should have come to _this_!" The dragon was forging along at a tremendous pace. It would soon be near enough to single out its prey--and still the old Fairy stood there, racking her memory in vain.