I wondered whether anything had happened to the hair in the middle of my head. I went to the river, and looked down at myself in a clear pool near the bank. I was surprised to see there the reflection of a small white horse’s head. I turned round, to see the animal which must have been looking over my shoulder. No animal was there. I could not understand it. I looked again at the surface of the water; the same head met my gaze; a small white horse’s head, and in the center of it a sharp, white horn. I looked behind me again, and again into the river. I stood in the water, and saw there the full image of the little white horse. It was myself. Thus (said the young man, sitting in the half-moon pasture of Korbi, by the river Tarn), you know my story. I have kept count of the days since my enchantment, and they now amount to two years; the age of my little son when he was drowned. You have taken from me the third black hair, and I shall now fly back to my beloved Princess, cured of the curse of perpetual happiness, to spend with her the remainder of my days in blessed light and shadow, peace and storm, laughter and tears. * * * * * _“I wonder,” said Bojohn thoughtfully, after a moment’s silence, “who the old man was who gave him the curse in the first place.”_ _“Did Alb tell you,” said Bodkin, “who the old man was?”_ _“No,” said Solario; “I don’t believe he ever knew. But I happen to know, myself, because it was revealed to me in the course of the story which was told me by--”_ _“Tell us! Tell us!” cried the two boys._ _“No,” said Solario, “it is much too late, and I must now, if you will permit me, bid you good night.”_ [Illustration] THE THIRD NIGHT THE SON OF THE TAILOR OF OOGH _The King was engaged with the Master of the Wardrobe in a game of chess in the throne room, and the Princess Dorobel (the King’s daughter) and her husband Prince Bilbo were looking on._ _In the next room the Queen was at dominoes with the Second Lady in Waiting, and Prince Bojohn (her grandson) and his friend Bodkin came and stood behind their chairs._ _“Grandmother,” said Bojohn, “wouldn’t you like to hear a story?”_ _“Not now, my dear,” said the Queen, and she put down a double five, smiling at the Lady in Waiting._ _“Come along, then,” said Bojohn to Bodkin. They went into the throne room, and stood behind the King’s chair._ _“Grandfather,” said Bojohn, “wouldn’t you like to hear a story?”_ _“You made a fatal mistake in moving your knight,” said The King. “I will now move my bishop and put you in check. So!”_ _“Grandfather!” said Bojohn. “Wouldn’t you like to--”_ _“Take your time, take your time,” said the King. “If you move out of check, I’ll have you in three moves. See if I don’t!”_ _“Grandfather!” said Bojohn._ _“Ah!” said the King. “That’s different. Hum. Ha. I didn’t think you’d do that. Plague take it, now I’ve got to think up something else.”_