k I
shall ever love anyone,' cried the Princess.

'In that case,' said the Enchanter, touching her, 'you had better become
a particular kind of creature that is neither fish nor fowl; you shall
be light and airy, and as green as the grass you live in. Off with you,
Madam Grasshopper.' And the Princess, rejoicing to find herself free
once more, skipped out into the garden, the prettiest little green
Grasshopper in the world. But as soon as she was safely out she began to
be rather sorry for herself.

'Ah! Florimond,' she sighed, 'is this the end of your gift? Certainly
beauty is short-lived, and this funny little face and a green crape
dress are a comical end to it. I had better have married my amiable
shepherd. It must be for my pride that I am condemned to be a
Grasshopper, and sing day and night in the grass by this brook, when I
feel far more inclined to cry.'

In the meantime Prince Peerless had discovered the Princess's absence,
and was lamenting over it by the river's brim, when he suddenly became
aware of the presence of a little old woman. She was quaintly dressed in
a ruff and farthingale, and a velvet hood covered her snow-white hair.

'You seem sorrowful, my son,' she said. 'What is the matter?'

'Alas! mother,' answered the Prince, 'I have lost my sweet shepherdess,
but I am determined to find her again, though I should have to traverse
the whole world in search of her.'

'Go that way, my son,' said the old woman, pointing towards the path
that led to the castle. 'I have an idea that you will soon overtake
her.'

The Prince thanked her heartily and set out. As he met with no
hindrance, he soon reached the enchanted wood which surrounded the
castle, and there he thought he saw the Princess Sunbeam gliding before
him among the trees. Prince Peerless hastened after her at the top of
his speed, but could not get any nearer; then he called to her:

'Sunbeam, my darling--only wait for me a moment.'

But the phantom did but fly the faster, and the Prince spent the whole
day in this vain pursuit. When night came he saw the castle before him
all lighted up, and as he imagined that the Princess must be in it, he
made haste to get there too. He entered without difficulty, and in the
hall the terrible old Fairy met him. She was so thin that the light
shone through her, and her eyes glowed like lamps; her skin was like
a shark's, her arms were thin as laths, and her fingers like spindles.
Nevertheless she wore