Richard Clay

Little Estella and Other Fairy Tales Richard Clay

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860. Excerpt: ... LITTLE ESTELLA THE CIECLET OP DIAMONDS. The Princess Xarifa reclined one day upon her silken cushions, looking forth from the window of her apartment on the valley below. Within, it was cool and shady, the floor was of white marble, and Xarifa's little feet, in their embroidered slippers, rested lovingly on a footstool of fresh roses of every shade; draperies of pale green silk adorned the walls, save where they were covered with scrolls of blue and scarlet touched with gold, containing wise or sacred sentences. Through a silver grating inserted in the floor ascended the delicate fragrance of Oriental perfumes, which rising to the perforated ceiling passed into the adjoining gallery. B Outside this cool retreat, it was breathless noon. The little stream that threaded the valley shrank from the blaze of the burning sun into the shelter of the sedges on its margin, and nothing living ventured abroad save the large and brilliant butterflies, which could not afford to lose one sunny hour of their bright existence. The favourite attendant of the Princess sat close by, fanning her, and from time to time glancing at her mistress with an anxious countenance; perceiving that Xarifa's dark liquid eyes wore an expression of melancholy which was not usual to them, and that she had been weeping. "Little Estella, why do you look at me so wistfully? What ails my countenance, child? Is it no longer so loving towards thee? Nay, thou must not imagine I shall be changed, though my estate be so." "No, kind and gracious lady, it is not that I fear; but you are sad, and I am wondering wherefore, when such bright fortunes are about to dawn upon you." A long silence ensued. The little maiden feared she had been too bold; and Xarifa, looking out again upon the distant hills and i...