` Take the box , ' replied the voice , ` and hide it under your pillow , and when you see an Eagle , give it to him without losing a moment . ' Terrified as the Princess was , she did not hesitate to obey , and hastened to put back all the other precious things precisely as she had found them . By this time her guards were seeking her everywhere , and they were amazed to find her up in the turret , for they said she could only have got there by magic . For three days nothing happened , but at last in the night the Princess heard something flutter against her window , and drawing back her curtains she saw in the moonlight that it was an Eagle . Limping across at her utmost speed she threw the window open , and the great Eagle sailed in beating with his wings for joy . The Princess lost no time in offering it the carbuncle box , which it grasped in its talons , and instantly disappeared , leaving in its place the most beautiful Prince she had ever seen , who was splendidly dressed , and wore a diamond crown . ` Princess , ' said he , ` for two hundred years has a wicked enchanter kept me here . We both loved the same Fairy , but she preferred me . However , he was more powerful than I , and succeeded , when for a moment I was off my guard , in changing me into an Eagle , while my Queen was left in an enchanted sleep . I knew that after two hundred years a Prince would recall her to the light of day , and a Princess , in restoring to me the hand which my enemy had cut off , would give me back my natural form . The Fairy who watches over your destiny told me this , and it was she who guided you to the cabinet in the turret , where she had placed my hand . It is she also who permits me to show my gratitude to you by granting whatever favour you may ask of me . Tell me , Princess , what is it that you wish for most ? Shall I make you as beautiful as you deserve to be ? ' ` Ah , if you only would ! ' cried the Princess , and at the same moment she heard a crick-cracking in all her bones . She grew tall and straight and pretty , with eyes like shining stars , and a skin as white as milk . ` Oh , wonderful ! can this really be my poor little self ? ' she exclaimed , looking down in amazement at her tiny worn-out crutch as it lay upon the floor .
` Indeed , XXXXX , ' replied Florimond , ` it is yourself , but you must have a new name , since the old one does not suit you now .
Eagle Princess Queen carbuncle crick-cracking days enchanter left night years