But fear nothing , for the hour of the emperor has struck . ' So they started ; and the horse , who was not a wizard for nothing , told the princess exactly where she was to look for the holy water . ` It stands , ' he said , ` on the altar of a little church , and is guarded by a troop of nuns . They never sleep , night or day , but every now and then a hermit comes to visit them , and from him they learn certain things it is needful for them to know . When this happens , only one of the nuns remains on guard at a time , and if we are lucky enough to hit upon this moment , we may get hold of the vase at once ; if not , we shall have to wait the arrival of the hermit , however long it may be ; for there is no other means of obtaining the holy water . ' They came in sight of the church beyond the Jordan , and , to their great joy , beheld the hermit just arriving at the door . They could hear him calling the nuns around him , and saw them settle themselves under a tree , with the hermit in their midst -- all but one , who remained on guard , as was the custom . The hermit had a great deal to say , and the day was very hot , so the nun , tired of sitting by herself , lay down right across the threshold , and fell sound asleep . Then Sunlight told the princess what she was to do , and the girl stepped softly over the sleeping nun , and crept like a cat along the dark aisle , feeling the wall with her fingers , lest she should fall over something and ruin it all by a noise . But she reached the altar in safety , and found the vase of holy water standing on it . This she thrust into her dress , and went back with the same care as she came . With a bound she was in the saddle , and seizing the reins bade Sunlight take her home as fast as his legs could carry him . The sound of the flying hoofs aroused the nun , who understood instantly that the precious treasure was stolen , and her shrieks were so loud and piercing that all the rest came flying to see what was the matter . The hermit followed at their heels , but seeing it was impossible to overtake the thief , he fell on his knees and called his most deadly curse down on her head , praying that if the thief was a man , he might become a woman ; and if she was a woman , that she might become a man . In either case he thought that the punishment would be severe . But punishments are things about which people do not always agree , and when the princess suddenly felt she was really the man she had pretended to be , she was delighted , and if the hermit had only been within reach she would have thanked him from her heart . By the time she reached the emperor 's court , Fet-Fruners looked a young man all over in the eyes of everyone ; and even the mother of the genius would now have had her doubts set at rest . He drew forth the vase from his tunic and held it up to the emperor , saying : ` Mighty Sovereign , all hail ! I have fulfilled this task also , and I hope it is the last you have for me ; let another now take his turn . ' ' I am content , Fet-Fruners , ' replied the emperor , ` and when I am dead it is you who will sit upon my throne ; for I have yet no son to come after me .
But XXXXX one is given me , and my dearest wish is accomplished , then you shall be his right hand , and guide him with your counsels . '
In So With by if lest of to under upon