hand into it, and he and his children would always find ten
pieces of gold. But when they were dead it would be a magic purse
no longer.

At this news Fortunatus was beside himself with joy, and could
hardly find words to thank the lady. But she told him that the
best thing he could do was to find his way out of the wood, and
before bidding him farewell pointed out which path he should
take. He walked along it as fast as his weakness would let him,
until a welcome light at a little distance showed him that a
house was near. It turned out to be an inn, but before entering
Fortunatus thought he had better make sure of the truth of what
the lady had told him, and took out the purse and looked inside.
Sure enough there were the ten pieces of gold, shining brightly.
Then Fortunatus walked boldly up to the inn, and ordered them to
get ready a good supper at once, as he was very hungry, and to
bring him the best wine in the house. And he seemed to care so
little what he spent that everybody thought he was a great lord,
and vied with each other who should run quickest when he called.

After a night passed in a soft bed, Fortunatus felt so much
better that he asked the landlord if he could find him some
men-servants, and tell him where any good horses were to be got.
The next thing was to provide himself with smart clothes, and
then to take a big house where he could give great feasts to the
nobles and beautiful ladies who lived in palaces round about.

In this manner a whole year soon slipped away, and Fortunatus was
so busy amusing himself that he never once remembered his parents
whom he had left behind in Cyprus. But though he was thoughtless,