They emerged from the darkness, and advanced through bleached forests and mountains that raised their pale and gloomy summits to the skies. Firs, beeches, birches, oaks, rocks, all were of lead. At the end of the forest stretched a vast meadow the grass of which was of silver; and at the bottom of the meadow was a castle of gold, inlaid with diamonds and rubies. The carriage stopped before the door, and the King of the Mines offered his hand to his bride, saying, "My fair one, all that you see is yours." Marienka was delighted. But it is impossible to make so long a journey without being hungry; and it was with pleasure, therefore, that she saw the mountain dwarfs bring in a table, everything on which glittered with gold, silver, and precious stones. The dishes were marvelous--side-dishes of emeralds, and roasts of gold on silver salvers. Every one ate heartily except the bride, who begged her husband for a little bread. "Bring the copper bread," said the King of the Mines. Marienka could not eat it. "Bring the silver bread," said he. Marienka could not eat it. "Bring the gold bread," said he, at length. Marienka could not eat it. "My fair one," said the King of the Mines, "I am very sorry; but what can I offer you? We have no other bread." The bride burst into tears. Her husband laughed aloud; his heart was of metal, like his kingdom. "Weep, if you like," he cried; "it will do you no good. What you wished for you possess. Eat the bread that you have chosen." It was thus that the rich Marienka lived in her castle, dying of hunger, and seeking in vain for a root to allay the torture that was consuming her. God had humbled her by granting her prayer. Three days in the year, the Rogation Days, when the ground half opens to receive the fruitful rain sent by the Lord, Marienka returns to the earth. Dressed in rags, pale and wrinkled, she begs from door to door, too happy when any one throws her a few crusts, and when she receives as alms from the poor what she lacks in her palace of gold--a little bread and a little pity. The Story _of the Noses_ _A Bohemian Tale_ [Illustration:]