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Cupids; in front of the two large fire…places stood great screens

broidered with parrots and peacocks; and the floor; which was of

sea…green onyx; seemed to stretch far away into the distance。  Nor

was he alone。  Standing under the shadow of the doorway; at the

extreme end of the room; he saw a little figure watching him。  His

heart trembled; a cry of joy broke from his lips; and he moved out

into the sunlight。  As he did so; the figure moved out also; and he

saw it plainly。



The Infanta!  It was a monster; the most grotesque monster he had

ever beheld。  Not properly shaped; as all other people were; but

hunchbacked; and crooked…limbed; with huge lolling head and mane of

black hair。  The little Dwarf frowned; and the monster frowned

also。  He laughed; and it laughed with him; and held its hands to

its sides; just as he himself was doing。  He made it a mocking bow;

and it returned him a low reverence。  He went towards it; and it

came to meet him; copying each step that he made; and stopping when

he stopped himself。  He shouted with amusement; and ran forward;

and reached out his hand; and the hand of the monster touched his;

and it was as cold as ice。  He grew afraid; and moved his hand

across; and the monster's hand followed it quickly。  He tried to

press on; but something smooth and hard stopped him。  The face of

the monster was now close to his own; and seemed full of terror。

He brushed his hair off his eyes。  It imitated him。  He struck at

it; and it returned blow for blow。  He loathed it; and it made

hideous faces at him。  He drew back; and it retreated。



What is it?  He thought for a moment; and looked round at the rest

of the room。  It was strange; but everything seemed to have its

double in this invisible wall of clear water。  Yes; picture for

picture was repeated; and couch for couch。  The sleeping Faun that

lay in the alcove by the doorway had its twin brother that

slumbered; and the silver Venus that stood in the sunlight held out

her arms to a Venus as lovely as herself。



Was it Echo?  He had called to her once in the valley; and she had

answered him word for word。  Could she mock the eye; as she mocked

the voice?  Could she make a mimic world just like the real world?

Could the shadows of things have colour and life and movement?

Could it be that … ?



He started; and taking from his breast the beautiful white rose; he

turned round; and kissed it。  The monster had a rose of its own;

petal for petal the same!  It kissed it with like kisses; and

pressed it to its heart with horrible gestures。



When the truth dawned upon him; he gave a wild cry of despair; and

fell sobbing to the ground。  So it was he who was misshapen and

hunchbacked; foul to look at and grotesque。  He himself was the

monster; and it was at him that all the children had been laughing;

and the little Princess who he had thought loved him … she too had

been merely mocking at his ugliness; and making merry over his

twisted limbs。  Why had they not left him in the forest; where

there was no mirror to tell him how loathsome he was?  Why had his

father not killed him; rather than sell him to his shame?  The hot

tears poured down his cheeks; and he tore the white rose to pieces。

The sprawling monster did the same; and scattered the faint petals

in the air。  It grovelled on the ground; and; when he looked at it;

it watched him with a face drawn with pain。  He crept away; lest he

should see it; and covered his eyes with his hands。  He crawled;

like some wounded thing; into the shadow; and lay there moaning。



And at that moment the Infanta herself came in with her companions

through the open window; and when they saw the ugly little dwarf

lying on the ground and beating the floor with his clenched hands;

in the most fantastic and exaggerated manner; they went off into

shouts of happy laughter; and stood all round him and watched him。



'His dancing was funny;' said the Infanta; 'but his acting is

funnier still。  Indeed he is almost as good as the puppets; only of

course not quite so natural。'  And she fluttered her big fan; and

applauded。



But the little Dwarf never looked up; and his sobs grew fainter and

fainter; and suddenly he gave a curious gasp; and clutched his

side。  And then he fell back again; and lay quite still。



'That is capital;' said the Infanta; after a pause; 'but now you

must dance for me。'



'Yes;' cried all the children; 'you must get up and dance; for you

are as clever as the Barbary apes; and much more ridiculous。'  But

the little Dwarf made no answer。



And the Infanta stamped her foot; and called out to her uncle; who

was walking on the terrace with the Chamberlain; reading some

despatches that had just arrived from Mexico; where the Holy Office

had recently been established。  'My funny little dwarf is sulking;'

she cried; 'you must wake him up; and tell him to dance for me。'



They smiled at each other; and sauntered in; and Don Pedro stooped

down; and slapped the Dwarf on the cheek with his embroidered

glove。  'You must dance;' he said; 'PETIT MONSIRE。  You must dance。

The Infanta of Spain and the Indies wishes to be amused。'



But the little Dwarf never moved。



'A whipping master should be sent for;' said Don Pedro wearily; and

he went back to the terrace。  But the Chamberlain looked grave; and

he knelt beside the little dwarf; and put his hand upon his heart。

And after a few moments he shrugged his shoulders; and rose up; and

having made a low bow to the Infanta; he said …



'MI BELLA PRINCESA; your funny little dwarf will never dance again。

It is a pity; for he is so ugly that he might have made the King

smile。'



'But why will he not dance again?' asked the Infanta; laughing。



'Because his heart is broken;' answered the Chamberlain。



And the Infanta frowned; and her dainty rose…leaf lips curled in

pretty disdain。  'For the future let those who come to play with me

have no hearts;' she cried; and she ran out into the garden。


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