ed as the Princess was, she did not hesitate to obey, and
hastened to put back all the other precious things precisely as she had
found them. By this time her guards were seeking her everywhere, and
they were amazed to find her up in the turret, for they said she could
only have got there by magic. For three days nothing happened, but
at last in the night the Princess heard something flutter against her
window, and drawing back her curtains she saw in the moonlight that it
was an Eagle.

Limping across at her utmost speed she threw the window open, and the
great Eagle sailed in beating with his wings for joy. The Princess
lost no time in offering it the carbuncle box, which it grasped in
its talons, and instantly disappeared, leaving in its place the most
beautiful Prince she had ever seen, who was splendidly dressed, and wore
a diamond crown.

'Princess,' said he, 'for two hundred years has a wicked enchanter kept
me here. We both loved the same Fairy, but she preferred me. However,
he was more powerful than I, and succeeded, when for a moment I was off
my guard, in changing me into an Eagle, while my Queen was left in an
enchanted sleep. I knew that after two hundred years a Prince would
recall her to the light of day, and a Princess, in restoring to me the
hand which my enemy had cut off, would give me back my natural form.
The Fairy who watches over your destiny told me this, and it was she who
guided you to the cabinet in the turret, where she had placed my hand.
It is she also who permits me to show my gratitude to you by granting
whatever favour you may ask of me. Tell me, Princess, what is it that
you wish for most? Shall I make you as beautiful as you deserve to be?'

'Ah, if you only would!' cried the Princess, and at the same moment she
heard a crick-cracking in all her bones. She grew tall and straight and
pretty, with eyes like shining stars, and a skin as white as milk.

'Oh, wonderful! can this really be my poor little self?' she exclaimed,
looking down in amazement at her tiny worn-out crutch as it lay upon the
floor.

'Indeed, Princess,' replied Florimond, 'it is yourself, but you must
have a new name, since the old one does not suit you now. Be called
Princess Sunbeam, for you are bright and charming enough to deserve the
name.'

And so saying he disappeared, and the Princess, without knowing how she
got there, found herself walking under shady trees by a clear river. Of
course, the first thing