The Prince took the hint , and lifting aside the picture without difficulty , found himself in a marble hall adorned with statues ; from this he passed on through numbers of splendid rooms , until at last he reached one all hung with blue gauze . The walls were of turquoises , and upon a low couch lay a lovely lady , who seemed to be asleep . Her hair , black as ebony , was spread across the pillows , making her face look ivory white , and the Prince noticed that she was unquiet ; and when he softly advanced , fearing to wake her , he could hear her sigh , and murmur to herself : ` Ah ! how dared you think to win my love by separating me from my beloved Florimond , and in my presence cutting off that dear hand that even you should have feared and honoured ? ' And then the tears rolled slowly down the lovely lady 's cheeks , and Prince Curlicue began to comprehend that she was under an enchantment , and that it was the hand of her lover that he had found . At this moment a huge Eagle flew into the room , holding in its talons a Golden Branch , upon which were growing what looked like clusters of cherries , only every cherry was a single glowing ruby . This he presented to the Prince , who guessed by this time that he was in some way to break the enchantment that surrounded the sleeping lady . Taking the branch he touched her lightly with it , saying : ` Fair one , I know not by what enchantment thou art bound , but in the name of thy beloved Florimond I conjure thee to come back to the life which thou hast lost , but not forgotten . ' Instantly the lady opened her lustrous eyes , and saw the Eagle hovering near . ` Ah ! stay , dear love , stay , ' she cried . But the Eagle , uttering a dolorous cry , fluttered his broad wings and disappeared . Then the lady turned to Prince Curlicue , and said : ' I know that it is to you I owe my deliverance from an enchantment which has held me for two hundred years . If there is anything that I can do for you in return , you have only to tell me , and all my fairy power shall be used to make you happy . ' ` Madam , ' said Prince Curlicue , ' I wish to be allowed to restore your beloved Florimond to his natural form , since I can not forget the tears you shed for him . ' ` That is very amiable of you , dear Prince , ' said the Fairy , ` but it is reserved for another person to do that . I can not explain more at present . But is there nothing you wish for yourself ? ' ` Madam , ' cried the Prince , flinging himself down at her feet , ` only look at my ugliness . I am called Curlicue , and am an object of derision ; I entreat you to make me less ridiculous . '
` Rise , Prince , ' said the Fairy , touching him XXXXX the Golden Branch .
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