HYA. I _would_ spare you, I _would_ forgive you, but I am powerless to do so, except under one condition. ALICE. Oh, what is it? I promise faithfully to perform any condition. HYA. I may not tell you. It is a secret entrusted to me, and only to me, by the Queen of the Fairies. GOV. (_to HYACINTHIA_). Mistress, have pity! Long, long ago, when I was a mortal child I disobeyed my Governess and came into Hyacinth Dell. For all these weary years I have borne the bitter punishment of being Governess to this Elf. I have lost every happiness, and there only remains the memory of the bright and golden days of my childhood to make me more unhappy still. Ah! do not doom poor Alice to such a fate as mine. I know that by the laws of Fairy Land the coming of this mortal child releases me from my dreadful post. I know that she will have to fill this, and that I shall be appointed to a lighter punishment; but rather than that she should suffer as I have suffered, ah! let me remain still a Governess, and set Alice free! HYA. All your pleadings would have been in vain, but you yourself, unknowingly, have fulfilled the condition. Your loving words of self-denial have broken the charm, and Alice is free. ALICE. Free! FLIB. Oh, I _am_ sorry! I was _so_ looking forward to having a Cry-Baby for a new Governess. I’d have given her something to cry for. Never mind! I’ll give the old Governess a worse time of it. ALICE (_to FLIBBIE_). You horrid little monster! (_To GOVERNESS_) Oh, but this is too terrible! How can I leave you to all this misery, and for my sake? I should always be thinking of you. No! you shall not make this sacrifice for me. (_To HYACINTHIA_) Fairy, forget what she has said, and give me my punishment! HYA. No, Alice, that cannot be, for the charm is broken! But be comforted, for there is also happiness for her who has restored you your happiness. (_To GOVERNESS_) Once having been made a Fairy, you must always remain a Fairy, but the memory of the days when you were a mortal child shall fade away, and only glad thoughts shall be yours. You have aged beneath your constant cares, but a Governess no longer, be young once more, and let a bright raiment be in keeping with your Future! _HYACINTHIA waves her wand and a change comes over the FAIRY GOVERNESS. She is now young looking, and she wears a glittering dress._ HYA. (_to GOVERNESS_). I appoint you to be Alice’s Good Fairy; to watch over her, and to guide her lovingly all through her life. ALICE (_to GOVERNESS_). Ah! how beautiful you are, and as good as you are beautiful!