Andrew Lang_Fairy Book 03 by The Green Fairy Book Page B

unfortunately, while I was still
with her she became seriously ill, and though she presently
recovered, her beauty is entirely gone, so that she hates the very
sight of herself, and is in despair. She entreated me to tell you
what had happened, and to beg you, in pity, to give her beauty
back to her. And, indeed, she does need it terribly, for all the
things in her that were tolerable, and even agreeable, when she
was so pretty, seem quite different now she is ugly, and it is so
long since she thought of using her mind or her natural
cleverness, that I really don't think she has any left now. She is
quite aware of all this herself, so you may imagine how unhappy
she is, and how earnestly she begs for your aid.'
    'You have told me what I wanted to know,' cried the Fairy, 'but
alas! I cannot help her; my gifts can be given but once.'
    Some time passed in all the usual delights of the Flower-Fairy's
palace, and then she sent for Sylvia again, and told her she was
to stay for a little while with the Princess Daphne, and
accordingly the butterflies whisked her off, and set her down in
quite a strange kingdom. But she had only been there a very little
time before a wandering butterfly brought a message from her to
the Fairy, begging that she might be sent for as soon as possible,
and before very long she was allowed to return.
    'Ah! madam,' cried she, 'what a place you sent me to that time!'
    'Why, what was the matter?' asked the Fairy. 'Daphne was one of
the princesses who asked for the gift of eloquence, if I remember
rightly.'
    'And very ill the gift of eloquence becomes a woman,' replied
Sylvia, with an air of conviction. 'It is true that she speaks
well, and her expressions are well chosen; but then she never
leaves off talking, and though at first one may be amused, one
ends by being wearied to death. Above all things she loves any
assembly for settling the affairs of her kingdom, for on those
occasions she can talk and talk without fear of interruption; but,
even then, the moment it is over she is ready to begin again about
anything or nothing, as the case may be. Oh! how glad I was to
come away I cannot tell you.'
    The Fairy smiled at Sylvia's unfeigned disgust at her late
experience; but after allowing her a little time to recover she
sent her to the Court of the Princess Cynthia, where she left her
for three months. At the end of that time Sylvia came back to her
with all the joy and contentment that one feels at being once more
beside a dear friend. The Fairy, as usual, was anxious to hear
what she thought of Cynthia, who had always been amiable, and to
whom she had given the gift of pleasing.
    'I thought at first,' said Sylvia, 'that she must be the happiest
Princess in the world; she had a thousand lovers who vied with one
another in their efforts to please and gratify her. Indeed, I had
nearly decided that I would ask a similar gift.'
    'Have you altered your mind, then?' interrupted the Fairy.
    'Yes, indeed, madam,' replied Sylvia; 'and I will tell you why.
The longer I stayed the more I saw that Cynthia was not really
happy. In her desire to please everyone she ceased to be sincere,
and degenerated into a mere coquette; and even her lovers felt
that the charms and fascinations which were exercised upon all who
approached her without distinction were valueless, so that in the
end they ceased to care for them, and went away disdainfully.'
    'I am pleased with you, child,' said the Fairy; 'enjoy yourself
here for awhile and presently you shall go to Phyllida.'
    Sylvia was glad to have leisure to think, for she could not make
up her mind at all what she should ask for herself, and the time
was drawing very near. However, before very long the Fairy sent
her to Phyllida, and waited for her report with unabated interest.
    'I reached her court safely,' said Sylvia, 'and she received me
with much kindness, and immediately began to exercise upon me that
brilliant wit which you had bestowed upon her. I confess that I
was