when, suddenly
swooping down, he carried her off before her equerry in attendance had
advanced to offer her his hand. The Princess, on finding herself in an
eagle's talons, uttered the most heart-breaking shrieks and cries; but
her captor, though touched by her distress, would not abandon his lovely
prey, and continued to fly through the air too fast to allow of his
saying anything to comfort her.

At length, when he thought they had reached a safe distance, he began
to lower his flight, and gradually descending to earth, deposited
his burden in a flowery meadow. He then entreated her pardon for his
violence, and told her that he was about to carry her to a great kingdom
over which he ruled, and where he desired she should rule with him,
adding many tender and consoling expressions.

For some time the Princess remained speechless; but recovering herself
a little, she burst into a flood of tears. The King, much moved, said,
'Adorable Princess, dry your tears. I implore you. My only wish is to
make you the happiest person in the world.'

'If you speak truth, my lord,' replied the Princess, 'restore to me the
liberty you have deprived me of. Otherwise I can only look on you as my
worst enemy.'

The King retorted that her opposition filled him with despair, but that
he hoped to carry her to a place where all around would respect her, and
where every pleasure would surround her. So saying, he seized her once
more, and in spite of all her cries he rapidly bore her off to the
neighbourhood of his capital. Here he gently placed her on a lawn, and
as he did so she saw a magnificent palace spring up at her feet. The
architecture was imposing, and in the interior the rooms were handsome
and furnished in the best possible taste.

The Princess, who expected to be quite alone, was pleased at finding
herself surrounded by a number of pretty girls, all anxious to wait on
her, whilst a brilliantly-coloured parrot said the most agreeable things
in the world.

On arriving at this palace the King had resumed his own form, and
though no longer young, he might well have pleased any other than this
Princess, who had been so prejudiced against him by his violence that
she could only regard him with feelings of hatred, which she was at
no pains to conceal. The King hoped, however, that time might not only
soften her anger, but accustom her to his sight. He took the precaution
of surrounding the palace with a dense cloud, and then hasten