Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/53

Rh he can procure.” He struck the flint, and the well-known dog with saucer-eyes stood before him.

“It is midnight, it is true,” said he; “but I should like so much to see the Princess only for a moment!”

In a moment the dog was out of the room, and before the soldier thought it possible, he saw him return with the Princess, who sat asleep on the dog’s back, and was so indescribably beautiful that anybody who saw her would know directly she was a Princess. The soldier could not help it; happen what might, he must give the Princess a kiss, and so he did, for he was, body and soul, a soldier.

Then the dog ran back again to the palace with the lovely Princess. The next morning at breakfast she told her parents of the curious dream she had had; that she had been riding on a dog, and that a soldier had given her a kiss.

“A very pretty affair indeed!” said the Queen. So now it was agreed that, next night, one of the ladies of the court should