They then, following the course of a noisy rivulet, came to a hole from which the sharp head of a fox peeped out.
The queen was frightened.

"Oh, come on," said the fox, encouragingly, "I am one of the fairy race, and many are the gambols we of the brute-elves play in the German world of romance." "Indeed, Mr.Fox," said the prince, "you only speak the truth; and how is Mr.Bruin ?" "Quite well, my prince, but tired of his seclusion; for indeed our race can do little or nothing now in the world; and lie here in our old age, telling stories of the past, and recalling the exploits we did in our youth,--which, madam, you may see in all the fairy histories in the prince's library." "Your own love adventures, for instance, Master Fox," said the prince.
The fox snarled angrily, and drew in his head.
"You have displeased your friend," said Nymphalin.
"Yes; he likes no allusions to the amorous follies of his youth.

Did you ever hear of his rivalry with the dog for the cat's good graces ?" "No; that must be very amusing." "Well, my queen, when we rest by and by, I will relate to you the history of the fox's wooing." The next place they came to was a vast Runic cavern, covered with dark inscriptions of a forgotten tongue; and sitting on a huge stone they found a dwarf with long yellow hair, his head leaning on his breast, and absorbed in meditation.

"This is a spirit of a wise and powerful race," whispered Fayzenheim, "that has often battled with the fairies; but he is of the kindly tribe." Then the dwarf lifted his head with a mournful air; and gazed upon the bright shapes before him, lighted by the pine torches that the prince's attendants carried.
"And what dost thou muse upon, O descendant of the race of Laurin ?" said the prince.
"Upon TIME!" answered the dwarf, gloomily.

"I see a River, and its waves are black, flowing from the clouds, and none knoweth its source.