While she was thus engaged , Cornichon and Toupette wandered away by themselves , and by-and-by arrived at the fountain , whose bubbling waters looked cool and delicious on such a hot day . Scarcely had they each drunk a deep draught , when the fairy , who by this time had discovered all she wished to know , hastened to the spot . ` Oh , beware ! beware ! ' she cried , the moment she saw them . ` If you drink that deadly poison you will be ruined for ever ! ' ` Poison ? ' answered Toupette . ` It is the most refreshing water I have ever tasted , and Cornichon will say so too ! ' ` Unhappy children , then I am too late ! Why did you leave me ? Listen , and I will tell you what has befallen the wretched inhabitants of this island , and what will befall you too . The power of fairies is great , ' she added , when she had finished her story , ` but they can not destroy the work of another fairy . Very shortly you will pass into the weakness and silliness of extreme old age , and all I can do for you is to make it as easy to you as possible , and to preserve you from the death that others have suffered , from having no one to look after them . But the charm is working already ! Cornichon is taller and more manly than he was an hour ago , and Toupette no longer looks like a little girl . ' It was true ; but this fact did not seem to render the young people as miserable as it did Selnozoura . ` Do not pity us , ' said Cornichon . ` If we are fated to grow old so soon , let us no longer delay our marriage . What matter if we anticipate our decay , if we only anticipate our happiness too ? '
The fairy felt XXXXX Cornichon had reason on his side , and seeing by a glance at Toupette 's face that there was no opposition to be feared from her , she answered , ` Let it be so , then .
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