What was her surprise when the animal said to her : ` Take off my bridle and you will save my life . ' ' I dare not , ' said she ; ` your master will be so angry . ' ` He can not hurt you , ' answered the horse , ` and you will save my life . ' At that she took off the bridle ; but nearly fainted with astonishment when the horse turned into a dove and flew away just as the old man came out of the house . Directly he saw what had happened he changed himself into a hawk and flew after the dove . Over the woods and fields they went , and at length they reached a king 's palace surrounded by beautiful gardens . The princess was walking with her attendants in the rose garden when the dove turned itself into a gold ring and fell at her feet . ` Why , here is a ring ! ' she cried , ` where could it have come from ? ' And picking it up she put it on her finger . As she did so the hill-man lost his power over Hans -- for of course you understand that it was he who had been the dog , the cow , the horse and the dove . ` Well , that is really strange , ' said the princess . ` It fits me as though it had been made for me ! ' Just at that moment up came the king . ` Look at what I have found ! ' cried his daughter . ` Well , that is not worth much , my dear , ' said he . ` Besides , you have rings enough , I should think . ' ` Never mind , I like it , ' replied the princess . But as soon as she was alone , to her amazement , the ring suddenly left her finger and became a man .
You can imagine how frightened she was , as , indeed , anybody would have been ; but XXXXX an instant the man became a ring again , and then turned back to a man , and so it went on for some time until she began to get used to these sudden changes . '
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