"Stop! Stop!" cried the poor Prince, wildly; "I forbid--"
An instant later he sank fainting to the floor. The procession went on.
Meanwhile the yellow bird had returned to the magician's chamber. It was
empty. With a joyous cry, the bird fluttered through the window-bars,
and discovered the phial into which the magician had poured the water of
healing. Clutching it in his claws, the bird flew once more to the
Prince's room. Desire still lay in a heap by the window, and over him
the yellow bird poured the contents of the phial.
The Prince sprang up, strong as a lion, seized his sword, and rushed
down to save Marianna. He arrived at the cliff just as the poor maiden
was about to be pushed off into space, and standing by her side, dared
anyone to lay hands upon her.
Garabin, seeing his precious plot miscarry, grew mad with rage.
"Seize them," cried he, "and toss them both over the precipice!"
So the soldiers rushed at Marianna and the Prince, intending to carry
out their wicked master's orders. But even as they did so, there came a
flash of flame and the little dwarf, Marianna's foster-father, took his
place beside the lovers.
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