“O, Prince of the Sun,” she began, “I have news for you—news of your lost bride.” “News of my beloved Ethelda?” cried the Prince, joyously. “Yes,” answered the mermaid, “your Ethelda is safe and unharmed. I have seen her.” “You have seen her?” cried the Prince. “O favored mermaid, take me to her at once.” “Mighty Prince,” replied she, “I have come to show you the way. Do you remember the bubbling stream you have often sat beside? It was formed from Ethelda’s tears. Those crystal drops arose even through the rocks to comfort you; but deeper down ran the stream, cutting into the Earth until it formed a dark and gloomy river to lead you back to her. I found this stream and followed it—straight from the crystal spring into a dark and gloomy cave. There Ethelda lives and waits for you.” A moment more and Prince Dorion was swimming beside the little mermaid. They swam along the coast until a dark line showed them where the river joined the ocean. And after many a turn and twist in the black river, they reached Ethelda’s cave. The Moon Princess sat within the vaulted Star Chamber alone. What a radiant creature she was! Her silver halo surrounded her, and she was chanting in a musical voice the pretty words which had caused it to form. The Sun Prince’s eyes dwelt lovingly upon her, but he was amazed to see overhead the stars shining in the clear blue vault of heaven. “Ethelda,” he cried softly; and his heart leaped with love at the sight of his bride, and bounding forward he reached her side. In another moment she lay in his arms, sobbing and laughing for joy. “Beloved, you are unhurt?” he questioned anxiously. “Yes,” she answered, growing calmer. “I am unharmed; and in a way he was not unkind. But he wished me to marry him, and so kept me in this gloomy cave, hoping I would consent. “See, beloved, even the stars above us he stole to comfort me and win my love. Every shooting star that fell from the heavens was brought here and placed in that high ceiling. They shine so brightly there that the blackness of the ceiling seems almost blue, and sometimes I almost believe I am gazing into the skies. But, beloved, nothing comforted me in your absence. I have sat weeping here, forming this river of tears to bring you to me.” Prince Dorion pressed her tenderly to his breast at these words, and whispered: “Dry your tears now, sweetheart, you will not need them longer, for I shall take you for ever away from this hideous prison.” Silently he carried her to the mermaid’s side, and softly they slipped away. But before Ethelda left, feeling herself safe again within her husband’s arms, she slipped out of the Moon’s halo and left it in the famous Star Chamber of the black cave. There it stays for every one to see, lighting the room with its silver rays in company with the glorious stars which the black dwarf stole and placed there.