Fear gave her strength for some time , but at last she could go no further , and sank down to rest . As she did so , the sprig of myrtle she carried touched the ground , and immediately a green and shady bower sprang up round her , in which she hoped to sleep in peace . But Lagree had not given up her pursuit , and arrived just as Fairer-than-a-Fairy had fallen fast asleep . This time she made sure of catching her victim , but the cat spied her out , and , springing from one of the boughs of the arbour she flew at Lagree 's face and tore out her only eye , thus delivering the Princess for ever from her persecutor . One might have thought that all would now be well , but no sooner had Lagree been put to fight than our heroine was overwhelmed with hunger and thirst . She felt as though she should certainly expire , and it was with some difficulty that she dragged herself as far as a pretty little green and white house , which stood at no great distance . Here she was received by a beautiful lady dressed in green and white to match the house , which apparently belonged to her , and of which she seemed the only inhabitant . She greeted the fainting Princess most kindly , gave her an excellent supper , and after a long night 's rest in a delightful bed told her that after many troubles she should finally attain her desire . As the green and white lady took leave of the Princess she gave her a nut , desiring her only to open it in the most urgent need . After a long and tiring journey Fairer-than-a-Fairy was once more received in a house , and by a lady exactly like the one she had quitted . Here again she received a present with the same injunctions , but instead of a nut this lady gave her a golden pomegranate . The mournful Princess had to continue her weary way , and after many troubles and hardships she again found rest and shelter in a third house exactly similar to the two others . These houses belonged to three sisters , all endowed with fairy gifts , and all so alike in mind and person that they wished their houses and garments to be equally alike . Their occupation consisted in helping those in misfortune , and they were as gentle and benevolent as Lagree had been cruel and spiteful . The third Fairy comforted the poor traveller , begged her not to lose heart , and assured her that her troubles should be rewarded . She accompanied her advice by the gift of a crystal smelling-bottle , with strict orders only to open it in case of urgent need . Fairer-than-a-Fairy thanked her warmly , and resumed her way cheered by pleasant thoughts . After a time her road led through a wood , full of soft airs and sweet odours , and before she had gone a hundred yards she saw a wonderful silver Castle suspended by strong silver chains to four of the largest trees . It was so perfectly hung that a gentle breeze rocked it sufficiently to send you pleasantly to sleep . Fairer-than-a-Fairy felt a strong desire to enter this Castle , but besides being hung a little above the ground there seemed to be neither doors nor windows .
She had no doubt -LRB- though really I can not think why -RRB- XXXXX the moment had come in which to use the nut which had been given her .
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