“‘And can nothing be done?’ said the Princess, ’nothing to shorten your endurance of the spell?’

“‘Nothing,’ said the Prince, sadly.  ’Any effort to do so would only cause fearful troubles.  I drop my hated skin at sunset, but three hours later I must resume it.’

“He glanced towards the corner of the room where, though the Princess had not before observed it, the brown bull’s skin lay in a heap.

“‘Hateful thing!’ said the Princess, clenching her pretty hands, ’I would like to burn it.’

“The Prince grew pale with fright.  ‘Hush!  Princess,’ he said.  ’Never breathe such words.  Any rash act would have the most fearful consequences.’

“‘What?’ said the Princess, curiously.

“The Prince came nearer her and said in a low voice, ’For me they would be such.  In such a case I might too probably never see you more.’

“The Princess blushed.  Considering that he had spent ten years as a bull, it seemed to her that the Prince’s manners were really not to be found fault with, and she promised him that she would consider the matter over, and by the next evening tell him her decision.

“She felt rather inclined to cry when she found herself again quite alone in the great strange palace, for she was only sixteen, even though so brave and cheerful.  But still she had nothing whatever to complain of.  Not a wish was formed in her heart but it was at once fulfilled, for this power was still the Prince’s.  She found, in what was evidently intended for her dressing-room, everything a young Princess could possibly desire in the shape of dresses, each more lovely than the others; shoes of silk or satin, exquisitely embroidered to suit her various costumes; laces and shawls, ribbons and feathers, and jewels of every conceivable kind in far greater abundance than so sensible a young lady found at all necessary.  But believing all these pretty things to be provided to please her by the Prince’s desire, she endeavoured to amuse herself with them, and found it rather interesting for the first time in her life to have to choose for herself.  Her breakfasts and dinners, and everything conceivable in the shape of delicate and delicious food, appeared whenever she wished for anything of the kind; invisible hands opened the windows and shut the doors, lighted the lamps when the evening closed in, arranged her long fair hair more skilfully than any mortal maid, and brushed it softly when at night she wished to have it unfastened.  Books in every language to interest her, for the Princess had been well taught, appeared on the tables, also materials for painting and for embroidery, in which she was very clever.  Altogether it was impossible to complain, and the next day passed pleasantly enough, though it must be confessed the young Princess often found herself counting the hours till it should be that of sunset.

“Punctual to the moment the Prince made his appearance, but to his guest’s distress he seemed careworn and anxious.