Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/192

176 latter lay senseless in the prince's arms, the grey wolf having sadly frightened her. At last she began to recover and moved a little, her beautiful eyes opened, and when she raised them to the princess face she blushed like a rose,—and I am sorry to say the prince followed her example and blushed also. In that moment they fell so desperately in love with each other that it would be impossible to describe it in this story.

But after a time Prince John fell into profound silence and grief; he could not bear the thought of parting with Princess Helen and giving her to King Alphonso, neither did she like the idea when the prince had told her all about it.

The grey wolf, seeing their sorrow, exclaimed,—

"Do not grieve my good friends; I will help you."

At last they arrived at King Alphonso's palace.

"Now, prince," cried the wolf, "here we must act with caution and tact. I shall take the form of the princess, who must remain hidden in that forest yonder, while you take me to King Alphonso and receive the golden horse in exchange; you must then mount it and ride back to the forest for the princess, and wait for me. I shall not be very long, though I intend to have a little fun. Good-bye."

With these words the wolf struck himself three times with his tail, and was immediately changed into the likeness of Princess Helen. Prince John, greatly surprised at the sudden change, took the wolf and delivered him over into the hands of King Alphonso as Princess Helen, receiving in exchange the golden