Day by day she became dearer to the prince; he loved her as one loves a good sweet child, but it never entered his head to make her his queen; yet unless she became his wife she would never win an everlasting soul, but on his wedding morning would turn to sea-foam.

‘Am I not dearer to you than any of them?’ the little mermaid’s eyes seemed to say when he took her in his arms and kissed her beautiful brow.

‘Yes, you are the dearest one to me,’ said the prince, ’for you have the best heart of them all, and you are fondest of me; you are also like a young girl I once saw, but whom I never expect to see again.  I was on board a ship which was wrecked; I was driven on shore by the waves close to a holy Temple where several young girls were ministering at a service; the youngest of them found me on the beach and saved my life; I saw her but twice.  She was the only person I could love in this world, but you are like her, you almost drive her image out of my heart.  She belongs to the holy Temple, and therefore by good fortune you have been sent to me; we will never part!’

‘Alas! he does not know that it was I who saved his life,’ thought the little mermaid.  ’I bore him over the sea to the wood where the Temple stands.  I sat behind the foam and watched to see if any one would come.  I saw the pretty girl he loves better than me.’  And the mermaid heaved a bitter sigh, for she could not weep.

’The girl belongs to the holy Temple, he has said; she will never return to the world, they will never meet again.  I am here with him; I see him every day.  Yes!  I will tend him, love him, and give up my life to him.’

But now the rumour ran that the prince was to be married to the beautiful daughter of a neighbouring king, and for that reason was fitting out a splendid ship.  It was given out that the prince was going on a voyage to see the adjoining countries, but it was without doubt to see the king’s daughter; he was to have a great suite with him.  But the little mermaid shook her head and laughed; she knew the prince’s intentions much better than any of the others.  ’I must take this voyage,’ he had said to her; ’I must go and see the beautiful princess; my parents demand that, but they will never force me to bring her home as my bride; I can never love her!  She will not be like the lovely girl in the Temple whom you resemble.  If ever I had to choose a bride it would sooner be you with your speaking eyes, my sweet, dumb foundling!’ And he kissed her rosy mouth, played with her long hair, and laid his head upon her heart, which already dreamt of human joys and an immortal soul.

‘You are not frightened of the sea, I suppose, my dumb child?’ he said, as they stood on the proud ship which was to carry them to the country of the neighbouring king; and he told her about storms and calms, about curious fish in the deep, and the marvels seen by divers; and she smiled at his tales, for she knew all about the bottom of the sea much better than any one else.