The prince could hardly believe his ears, and Rupa-Sikha also was very much surprised.  She guessed however that her father had some evil purpose in what he said, and looked earnestly at Sringa-Bhuja in the hope of making him understand.  But the prince was so overjoyed at the thought that she was to be his wife that he noticed nothing.  So when Agni-Sikha added, “I only make one condition:  you must promise that you will never disobey my commands, but do whatever I tell you without a moment’s hesitation,” Sringa-Bhuja, without waiting to think, said at once, “Only give me your daughter and I will serve you in any way you wish.”

“That’s settled then!” cried the magician, and he clapped his hands together.  In a moment a number of attendants appeared, and their master ordered them to lead the prince to the best apartments in the palace, to prepare a bath for him, and do everything he asked them.

11.  What great mistake did the prince make when he gave this promise?

12.  What answer should he have made?

CHAPTER VII

As Sringa-Bhuja followed the servants, Rupa-Sikha managed to whisper to him, “Beware! await a message from me!” When he had bathed and was arraying himself in fresh garments provided by his host, waited on, hand and foot, by servants who treated him with the greatest respect, a messenger arrived, bearing a sealed letter which he reverently handed to the prince.  Sringa-Bhuja guessed at once from whom it came; and anxious to read it alone, he hastily finished his toilette and dismissed the attendants.

“My beloved,” said the letter—­which was, of course, from Rupa-Sikha—­“My father is plotting against you; and very foolish were you to promise you would obey him in all things.  I have ten sisters all exactly like me, all wearing dresses and necklaces which are exact copies of each other, so that few can tell me from the others, Soon you will be sent for to the great Hall and we shall all be together there.  My father will bid you choose your bride from amongst us; and if you make a mistake all will be over for us.  But I will wear my necklace on my head instead of round my neck, and thus will you know your own true love.  And remember, my dearest, to obey no future command without hearing from me, for I alone am able to outwit my terrible father,”

Everything happened exactly as Rupa-Sikha described.  The prince was sent for by Agni-Sikha, who, as soon as he appeared, gave him a garland of flowers and told him to place it round the neck of the maiden who was his promised bride.  Without a moment’s hesitation Sringa-Bhuja picked out the right sister; and the magician, though inwardly enraged, pretended to be so delighted at this proof of a lover’s clear-sightedness that he cried: 

“You are the son-in-law for me!  The wedding shall take place to-morrow!”

13.  Can you understand how it was that the magician did not notice the trick Rupa-Sikha had played upon him?