and burdensome to him: he was streaming with perspiration, from fatigue; and although he was now not far from the cottage, he felt that without assistance he could not get his captive home. He went to seek his faithful Becafigue; but before he quitted the Hind, he tied it by several ribands to the foot of a tree, that it might not get away.
Alas! who could have thought that the most beautiful Princess in the world should have been treated thus by a Prince who adored her! She tried in vain to break the ribands; her efforts in doing so drew the knots still tighter, and she had nearly strangled herself with a slip-knot he had unluckily made; when Giroflée, tired of being so long shut up in her chamber, walked out for a little air, and passed by the spot where the White Hind was struggling. What was her distress when she perceived her dear mistress! She could not untie the ribands fast enough, which were knotted in different places; and the Prince arrived with Becafigue just as she was about to lead away the Hind. "Whatever respect I may have for you, Madam," said the Prince to her, "you must permit me to object to the robbery you would commit. I have wounded this Hind; she is my property; I love her. I entreat you to leave her to me." "My lord," civilly replied Giroflée (for she was very polite and gracious), "this Hind belonged to me before she did to you. I would much sooner give up my life than her; and if you would be convinced how well she knows me, I only beg of you to give her a little liberty. Come, my little white darling," added she, "embrace me;" the Hind jumped on her neck. "Kiss my right cheek;" she obeyed. "Feel my heart;" she put her foot there. "Sigh;" she sighed. The Prince could no longer doubt what Giroflée told him. "I restore her to you," said he, generously, "but, I own, not without much regret." She instantly departed with the Hind.
They knew not that the Prince lived in their house; he followed them at a distance, and was surprised to see them enter the good old woman's habitation. He went in very shortly after them, and, urged by a movement of curiosity which the White Hind had given rise to, he inquired who the young woman was. The old dame replied, that she did not know; that she had taken her to lodge there with her Hind; that she paid her well; and that she lived very retired.
