"'I was completely relieved by these words, and granted the forgiveness desired; but having determined in spite of the gardener's remonstrances, to keep my promises to the thief and the lion, I refused to accept his protection. On leaving the garden, the lion met me. 'Noble lion,' I said, 'I am come, as I promised you.' I then related to him how the gardener had absolved me from my vow, and I expressed a hope that the king of beasts would not belie his renown for generosity. The lion again stepped aside, and I proceeded to the thief, who was still standing where I left him. I told him I was now in his power, but that, before he stripped me, I must relate to him what had happened since our last meeting. Having heard me, he turned away, saying, 'I am not meaner than a poor gardener, nor more cruel than a hungry lion: I will not injure what they have respected.' "'Delighted with my escapes, I returned to my father's palace, where I was united to my cousin, with whom I lived happily till his death; persuaded, however, that the power of human beings to do good is very limited, and that when they leave the narrow path marked out for them by their Maker, they not only lose their object, but often wander far into error and guilt, by attempting more than it is possible to perform.' "The princess paused, and was glad to see her guests so enchanted with her story, that it had banished every other thought from their minds. After a few moments she turned to one of them, and asked, 'Now which, think you, showed the greatest virtue in his forbearance--the gardener, the thief, or the lion?' "'The gardener assuredly,' was his answer; 'to abandon so lovely a prize, when so nearly his own.' "'And what is your opinion?' said the princess to his neighbour. "'I think the lion was the most generous,' he replied; 'he must have been very hungry, and in such a state it was great forbearance to abstain from devouring so delicate a morsel.' "'You both seem to me to be quite wrong,' said the third, impatiently; 'the thief had by far the most merit. Gracious Heavens! to have within his grasp such wealth, and to refrain from taking it! I could not have believed it possible, unless the princess herself had assured us of the fact.' "The princess now, assuming an air of dignity, said to the first who spoke, 'You, I perceive, are an admirer of the ladies;' to the second, 'You are an epicure;' and then turning to the third, who was already pale with fright, 'You, my friend, have the emerald in your possession. You have betrayed yourself, and nothing but an immediate confession can save your life.'