Pointing to the rock , she showed him an opening just big enough for a man to wriggle through . Passing into it , they entered a long underground passage , which led out on to a wide field , above which spread a blue sky . In the middle of the field stood a magnificent castle , built out of porphyry , with a roof of gold and with glittering battlements . And his beautiful guide told him that this was the palace in which her father lived and reigned over his kingdom in the Under-world . Together they entered the palace , and were received by the King with great kindness . Turning to his daughter , he said : ` My child , I had almost given up the hope of ever seeing you again . Where have you been all these years ? ' ` My father , ' she replied , ' I owe my life to this youth , who saved me from a terrible death . ' Upon which the King turned to Martin with a gracious smile , saying : ' I will reward your courage by granting you whatever your heart desires . Take as much gold , silver , and precious stones as you choose . ' ' I thank you , mighty King , for your gracious offer , ' answered Martin , ' ` but I do not covet either gold , silver , or precious stones ; yet if you will grant me a favour , give me , I beg , the ring from off the little finger of your royal hand . Every time my eye falls on it I shall think of your gracious Majesty , and when I marry I shall present it to my bride . ' So the King took the ring from his finger and gave it to Martin , saying : ` Take it , good youth ; but with it I make one condition -- you are never to confide to anyone that this is a magic ring . If you do , you will straightway bring misfortune on yourself . ' Martin took the ring , and , having thanked the King , he set out on the same road by which he had come down into the Under-world . When he had regained the upper air he started for his old home , and having found his mother still living in the old house where he had left her , they settled down together very happily . So uneventful was their life that it almost seemed as if it would go on in this way always , without let or hindrance . But one day it suddenly came into his mind that he would like to get married , and , moreover , that he would choose a very grand wife -- a King 's daughter , in short . But as he did not trust himself as a wooer , he determined to send his old mother on the mission . ` You must go to the King , ' he said to her , ` and demand the hand of his lovely daughter in marriage for me . '
` What are you thinking XXXXX , my son ? '
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