Now as this was the first time she had used the magic counter, Mary felt a little anxious to see how it would act, and at all events she hoped Evangeline would give it back to her again, although she did not feel at all sure about it. She was greatly relieved to see Evangeline smile and look at the watch which she wore on her wrist. 'You can put this back in your purse again,' said Evangeline, and entering the room she sat down and drew Mary to her side. 'You'll tell me the story all the same,' answered Mary, as she put the magic counter back into her purse. 'Oh yes, I must, you see!' cried Evangeline with a laugh; 'only it will have to be rather a short one. You said nothing about the length.' 'Not too short,' said Mary, 'and about fairies, please;' and then she nestled snugly against Evangeline as she began the tale. X THE STORY OF THE PRINCE, THE BLUE-BIRD, AND THE CAGE The Princess Fantosina had a very beautiful voice, and whilst walking in the palace gardens one day in spring, she began to sing. She was about to leave off singing and to re-enter the palace when she saw a strange-looking, little, old woman. 'My dear,' said the little old woman, hobbling towards the Princess Fantosina, 'I have not heard that song for two hundred years, and I should like you to sing it again.' 'I will sing it again with pleasure,' answered the princess, and she sang the song again from beginning to end. 'Now,' said the strange-looking little old woman, 'you have gratified me very much by singing without being asked twice, and I should like to do something to please you in return. Tell me what you would like to have done.' 'I don't think there is anything, thank you,' said the Princess Fantosina. 'There must be something,' was the answer, 'because the most contented person in the world always wants something else. Now,' said the old woman, 'how about a prince?' 'Oh!' cried Fantosina, smiling very brightly, 'my prince is on his way. He lives a long distance off, but he has set forth on his journey to fetch me. And though I have never seen him, I know he is very good and very handsome, and that I shall love him very dearly.' Whilst Fantosina was speaking a dove flew by. 'Oh!' she cried, 'how delightful it must be to fly!' 'So you shall,' said the little old woman. 'How should you like to be able to turn into a dove whenever you wished.' 'I should like it very much,' answered Fantosina, 'only a dove cannot sing--it can only coo, you know.'