Chapter 21
The DryadWE are travelling to Paris to the Exhibition.
Now we are there. That was a journey, a flight without
magic. We flew on the wings of steam over the sea and across the
land.
Yes, our time is the time of fairy tales.
We are in the midst of Paris, in a great hotel. Blooming
flowers ornament the staircases, and soft carpets the
floors.
Our room is a very cosy one, and through the open balcony
door we have a view of a great square. Spring lives down there; it
has come to Paris, and arrived at the same time with us. It has
come in the shape of a glorious young chestnut tree, with delicate
leaves newly opened. How the tree gleams, dressed in its spring
garb, before all the other trees in the place! One of these latter
had been struck out of the list of living tre
