The coachman and postilions stopped the horses, and the child was rescued without the slightest injury.

Its grandmother rushed out of the door of her cottage to take it; but the Queen, standing up in her calash and extending her arms, called out that the child was hers, and that destiny had given it to her, to console her, no doubt, until she should have the happiness of having one herself.

"Is his mother alive ?" asked the Queen.

"No, Madame; my daughter died last winter, and left five small children upon my hands." "I will take this one, and provide for all the rest; do you consent ?" "Ah, Madame, they are too fortunate," replied the cottager; "but Jacques is a bad boy.

I hope he will stay with you!" The Queen, taking little Jacques upon her knee, said that she would make him used to her, and gave orders to proceed.