Through the fire (15 )

Through the fire (15　なのですが、あと１回続きます)

" Well, " they cried together, " what did he say, little Jack ? "

Jack repeated carefully what the old man had said ; " What put out fire but water ? What dries up water but fire ? Tell him to give her a kiss ! "

" It is as I thought, " said the Prince, with a sigh.
" He means that there is no hope for us, and that we must perish together. "

" Why, no, " cried the Princess, " I think now I begin to understand him. "
And she stepped lightly from the grate on to the floor, in a halo of shining flame.

In the same moment the Prince swept down from the window and a flood of water splashed on to the floor.
Without a word, the two rushed into each other's arm.



The room seemed to be filled with a thick mist through which jack could see nothing; then as it slowly cleared away, he heard the soft voice of the Princess.

She was no longer surrounded by flames, and the weird brightness had passed from her face and dress.
Her eyes no longer seemed to burn or her hair to glitter.

Beside her stood Prince Fluvius, no less changed.
His eyes were bright and his hair had lost its wet gloss.

At that moment, the clock began to strike twelve and all the bells in the great city  rang out to tell the world that the New Year was born.

As they rang, the room was filled with the strangest forms.
Fairies, goblins, elves floated in at the open window and pressed around the Prince and Princess, filling every nook and corner of the room.



With every stroke of the clock, with every clash of the bells, their number increased, but at the sixth stroke, the young couple moved towards the window.

" Good-bye, little Jack; we shall never forgot you ! " called the Princess.
" Good-bye, little Jack, " echoed the Prince, " we shall come if ever you want us ! "

And at the last stroke of twelve, they were gone.
The room was left empty and cold, and little Jack was alone. 


(15/15 しかし、ラストあと１回続きます。) 
(実は、出典の最後1ページを見落としていたのですね、すみません。)