“Touch not the Green Wand,” she commanded. “To do so is to destroy yourself.” She laid it back in its place and took out in it its stead a small dark wand. This she extended to him saying, “Here is the one which is for you.” With indignant words he would have spurned it, but she checked his complaints abruptly. “It will serve you well, if you but know its secret,” she told him, “See--in this its magic dwells.” With a last envious look at the Green Wand, Flying Soot cast aside his anger, and watched her narrowly while she showed him how to use her gift. Still a little ungraciously he received it, and hid it in his mantle. The Earth Fairy stopping for no farewell, gathered up her bundle of wands, and hurried to the spot where Flying Soot had told her the Princess awaited the coming of Prince Radiance. There at the foot of the great fire oak she saw her, flushing and paling with glorious light. She was thinking of the wonderful happiness that had come to her, but suddenly she became aware that a stranger was approaching. Looking up she beheld the Earth Fairy. Quickly the Earth Fairy advanced till she stood before the Princess, and without waiting to be addressed, announced her errand. “Your Highness,” she said, “I am a messenger from Prince Radiance. He cannot return to you as he had expected; but he has sent me to ask you to let me guide you to where he waits for you.” Princess White Flame regarded her doubtfully. “You are a stranger to me,” she replied. “How may I know that you are in truth a messenger from the Prince?” “Ah,” cried the Earth Fairy, “will you not trust me? Alas! If you do not, the Prince can never disenchant you, for the Wise One has assured him that unless you come to where Prince Radiance now awaits you, the Veil will have no power over you.” For a moment the Princess regarded the face of the wicked one closely. It bore a kind and innocent look. Still she felt undecided. “Hasten, Your Highness!” entreated the Earth Fairy. “Hasten, I beg of you, lest its magic be lost to you both.” The Princess White Flame hesitated no longer. “Lead on,” she said, “and I will follow.” Rejoiced that she had been able to persuade the Princess so easily, the Earth Fairy passed at once out of the Garden, and away from the Palace of Burning Coals, and close beside her fluttered the white flame of the Princess. Silently they traveled, and after a time the country through which they were passing began to look strange to the Princess. Yet, though they went on and on, she still saw no sign of Prince Radiance. At last she began to question the Earth Fairy, who always replied that they had but a short distance farther to go.