He made careful inquiries into the matter , and thought it hardly probable that a quiet widow and a young girl would think of attempting anything of the nature of a revolution . He determined to go and see them , and to find out the truth for himself ; so one night , without saying anything to the Queen or his ministers , he set out for the palace where the two ladies lived , attended only by a small band of followers . The two ladies were at the moment deep in conversation with Prince Alphege , and hearing a knocking so late at night begged him to keep out of sight for a time . What was their surprise when the door was opened to see the King and his suite . ' I know , ' said the King , ` that you are plotting against my crown and person , and I have come to have an explanation with you . ' As she was about to answer Prince Alphege , who had heard all , came forward and said , ` It is from me you must ask an explanation , brother . ' He spoke with such grace and dignity that everyone gazed at him with mute surprise . At length the King , recovering from his astonishment at recognising the brother who had been lost some years before , exclaimed , ` Yes , you are indeed my brother , and now that I have found you , take the throne to which I have no longer a right . ' So saying , he respectfully kissed the Prince 's hand . Alphege threw himself into his arms , and the brothers hastened to the royal palace , where in the presence of the entire court he received the crown from his brother 's hand . To clear away any possible doubt , he showed the ruby which the Good Queen had given him in his childhood . As they were gazing at it , it suddenly split with a loud noise , and at the same moment the Wicked Queen expired . King Alphege lost no time in marrying his dear and lovely Zayda , and his joy was complete when the Good Queen appeared at his wedding . She assured him that the Fairy of the Mountain had henceforth lost all power over him , and after spending some time with the young couple , and bestowing the most costly presents on them , she retired to her own country . King Alphege insisted on his brother sharing his throne , and they all lived to a good old age , universally beloved and admired . FAIRER-THAN-A-FAIRY Once there lived a King who had no children for many years after his marriage . At length heaven granted him a daughter of such remarkable beauty that he could think of no name so appropriate for her as ` Fairer-than-a-Fairy . ' It never occurred to the good-natured monarch that such a name was certain to call down the hatred and jealousy of the fairies in a body on the child , but this was what happened . No sooner had they heard of this presumptuous name than they resolved to gain possession of her who bore it , and either to torment her cruelly , or at least to conceal her from the eyes of all men . The eldest of their tribe was entrusted to carry out their revenge .
This Fairy was named Lagree ; she was so old that she only had one eye and one tooth left , and even these poor remains she had XXXXX keep all night in a strengthening liquid .
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