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The Seeds of Love.
45

“Ah, my sweet tree, each day you are more beautiful, and I am_ happier,” said Queen Blanchelys, and she put her white arms round the tree-trunk and laid her cheek against it and caressed it as before.

“Your pet seems well, cousin Blanchelys,” said Zaire, coming to where she stood.

“What! are you there, cousin Zaire?” said Blanchelys, drawing back from the tree.

“ And see, I have also a new pet,” said Zaire; and she drew from her bosom the cold long snake, and let it twist about her arms and throat.

“What hideous creature have you there, cousin Zaire?” cried Blanchelys, trembling and hiding her eyes from the snake.

“You have a pet, why should I not have one also?” said Zaire, as she kissed the snake’s glittering green head.

“But you will surely not make a pet of that dreadful snake?” said Blanchelys. “Dear cousin Zaire, throw it away, and I will give you a beautiful pet—a dove, or a gazelle, or a rose-tree like mine.”

“I would not change my snake for anything in all the wide world,” said Zaire; and her eyes

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