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watched； but it was too late； for the Prince had already glided
between two rocks。 He wandered for a long while through the
forests； where he met nothing but fearful monsters； he climbed
rock after rock； steered his way from tree to tree； till at
length he arrived at the edge of the sea； at the foot of a
mountain that he remembered to have seen in the cabinet of the
present； where Rosalie was held captive。
Filled with joy； he made his way to the top of the mountain which
pierced the clouds； and there he found a palace。 He entered； and
in the middle of a long gallery he discovered a crystal room； in
the midst of which sat Rosalie； guarded night and day by genii。
There was no door anywhere； nor any window。 At this sight the
Prince became more puzzled than ever； for he did not know how he
was to warn Rosalie of his return。 Yet it broke his heart to see
her weeping from dawn till dark。
One day； as Rosalie was walking up and down her room； she was
surprised to see that the crystal which served for a wall had
grown cloudy； as if some one had breathed on it； and； what was
more； wherever she moved the brightness of the crystal always
became clouded。 This was enough to cause the Princess to suspect
that her lover had returned。 In order to set the Prince of the
Air's mind at rest she began by being very gracious to him； so
that when she begged that her captivity might be a little
lightened she should not be refused。 At first the only favour
she asked was to be allowed to walk for one hour every day up and
down the long gallery。 This was granted； and the Invisible
Prince speedily took the opportunity of handing her the stone；
which she at once slipped into her mouth。 No words can paint the
fury of her captor at her disappearance。 He ordered the spirits
of the air to fly through all space； and to bring back Rosalie
wherever she might be。 They instantly flew off to obey his
commands； and spread themselves over the whole earth。
Meantime Rosalie and the Invisible Prince had reached； hand in
hand； a door of the gallery which led through a terrace into the
gardens。 In silence they glided along； and thought themselves
already safe； when a furious monster dashed itself by accident
against Rosalie and the Invisible Prince； and in her fright she
let go his hand。 No one can speak as long as he is invisible；
and besides； they knew that the spirits were all around them； and
at the slightest sound they would be recognised； so all they
could do was to feel about in the hope that their hands might
once more meet。
But； alas！ the joy of liberty lasted but a short time。 The
Princess； having wandered in vain up and down the forest； stopped
at last on the edge of a fountain。 As she walked she wrote on
the trees： 'If ever the Prince； my lover； comes this way； let him
know that it is here I dwell； and that I sit daily on the edge of
this fountain； mingling my tears with its waters。'
These words were read by one of the genii； who repeated them to
his master。 The Prince of the Air； in his turn making himself
invisible； was led to the fountain； and waited for Rosalie。 When
she drew near he held out his hand； which she grasped eagerly；
taking it for that of her lover； and； seizing his opportunity；
the Prince passed a cord round her arms； and throwing off his
invisibility cried to his spirits to drag her into the lowest
pit。
It was at this moment that the Invisible Prince appeared； and at
the sight of the Prince of the Genii mounting into the air；
holding a silken cord； he guessed instantly that he was carrying
off Rosalie。
He felt so overwhelmed by despair that he thought for an instant
of putting an end to his life。 'Can I survive my misfortunes？'
he cried。 'I fancied I had come to an end of my troubles； and
now they are worse than ever。 What will become of me？ Never can
I discover the place where this monster will hide Rosalie。'
The unhappy youth had determined to let himself die； and indeed
his sorrow alone was enough to kill him； when the thought that by
means of the cabinets of the years he might find out where the
Princess was imprisoned； gave him a little ray of comfort。 So he
continued to walk on through the forest； and after some hours he
arrived at the gate of a temple； guarded by two huge lions。
Being invisible； he was able to enter unharmed。 In the middle of
the temple was an altar； on which lay a book； and behind the
altar hung a great curtain。 The Prince approached the altar and
opened the book； which contained the names of all the lovers in
the world： and in it he read that Rosalie had been carried off by
the Prince of the Air to an abyss which had no entrance except
the one that lay by way of the Fountain of Gold。
Now； as the Prince had not the smallest idea where this fountain
was to be found； it might be thought that he was not much nearer
Rosalie than before。 This was not； however； the view taken by
the Prince。
'Though every step that I take may perhaps lead me further from
her；' he said to himself； 'I am still thankful to know that she
is alive somewhere。'
On leaving the temple the Invisible Prince saw six paths lying
before him； each of which led through the wood。 He was
hesitating which to choose； when he suddenly beheld two people
coming towards him； down the track which lay most to his right。
They turned out to be the Prince Gnome and his friend； and the
sudden desire to get some news of his sister； Princess Argentine；
caused the Invisible Prince to follow them and to listen to their
conversation。
'Do you think；' the Prince Gnome was saying； 'do you think that I
would not break my chains if I could？ I know that the Princess
Argentine will never love me； yet each day I feel her dearer
still。 And as if this were not enough； I have the horror of
feeling that she probably loves another。 So I have resolved to
put myself out of my pain by means of the Golden Fountain。 A
single drop of its water falling on the sand around will trace
the name of my rival in her heart。 I dread the test； and yet
this very dread convinces me of my misfortune。'
It may be imagined that after listening to these words the
Invisible Prince followed Prince Gnome like his shadow； and after
walking some time they arrived at the Golden Fountain。 The
unhappy lover stooped down with a sigh； and dipping his finger in
the water let fall a drop on the sand。 It instantly wrote the
name of Prince Flame； his brother。 The shock of this discovery
was so real； that Prince Gnome sank fainting into the arms of his
friend。
Meanwhile the Invisible Prince was turning over in his mind how
he could best deliver Rosalie。 As； since he had been touched by
the Giant's ring； he had the power to live in the water as well
as on land； he at once dived into the fountain。 He perceived in
one corner a door leading into the mountain； and at the foot of
the mountain was a high