When poor Hermione had sent her baby in Paulina's care to be shown to
her royal father, she had dressed it in its richest robes, and thus it
remained when Antigonus left it. Besides, he pinned a paper to its
mantle upon which the name Perdita was written.
Happily, a kind-hearted shepherd found the deserted infant, and took it
home to his wife, who cherished it as her own. But they concealed the
fact from every one; and lest the tale of the jewels upon Perdita's
little neck should be noised abroad, he sold some of them, and leaving
that part of the country, bought herds of sheep, and became a wealthy
shepherd.
Little Perdita grew up as sweet and lovely as her unknown mother; yet
she was supposed to be only a shepherd's child.
Polixenes of Bohemia had one only son--Florizel by name; who, hunting
near the shepherd's dwelling, saw the fair maiden, whose beauty and
modesty soon won his love. Disguising himself as a private gentleman,
instead of appearing as the king's son, Florizel took the name of
Doricles, and came visiting at the shepherd's dwelling.
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