The Green Fairy Book

red at random, and presently asked if he was not to have the pleasure of seeing the Princess Fiordelisa.

‘Sire,' answered the Queen haughtily, ‘her father has ordered that she shall not leave her own apartments until my daughter is married.'

‘What can be the reason for keeping that lovely Princess a prisoner?' cried the King in great indignation.

‘That I do not know,' answered the Queen; ‘and even if I did, I might not feel bound to tell you.'

The King was terribly angry at being thwarted like this. He felt certain that Turritella was to blame for it, so casting a furious glance at her he abruptly took leave of the Queen, and returned to his own apartments. There he said to a young squire whom he had brought with him: ‘I would give all I have in the world to gain the good will of one of the Princess's waiting-women, and obtain a moment's speech with Fiordelisa.'

‘Nothing could be easier,' said the young squire; and he very soon made