Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/128

 "Your health, Prince Ivan. Hitherto I have been here as your guest, now I have come as a suitor. I should like to take your sister, the Princess Marya, as my wife."

"If my sister likes you I have no objection. Let her go with you under God's care."

The Princess Marya was willing; so the Hawk took her as his wife and carried her off to his kingdom.

Days followed days, hours trod on the heels of hours. Almost a whole year had passed. Prince Ivan and his two sisters went to stroll in their green garden. Again a cloud came up with a fierce wind, with lightning. "Come, sisters, let us go into the house!" said the prince.

They had hardly got indoors ere a thunderbolt struck the roof, which tumbled in, the ceiling split, and an Eagle flew down. As soon as the Eagle touched the floor it became a fine young man:

"Good day to you, Prince Ivan," he said. "Hitherto I have visited you as a guest, but now I have come as suitor."

And he asked for the hand of Princess Olga. Prince Ivan replied:

"If you please Princess Olga, let her go with you; but I do not force her against her will."