Now , the Fairy was so clever that she could not only seem beautiful to the King , but even the poor Princess thought her the most lovely being she had ever seen . `` What ! '' she cried ; `` was I not unhappy enough in this lonely castle to which that frightful Yellow Dwarf brought me ? Must I also be made to know that the King of the Gold Mines ceased to love me as soon as he lost sight of me ? But who can my rival be , whose fatal beauty is greater than mine ? '' While she was saying this , the King , who really loved her as much as ever , was feeling terribly sad at being so rapidly torn away from his beloved Princess , but he knew too well how powerful the Fairy was to have any hope of escaping from her except by great patience and cunning . The Fairy of the Desert had also seen Bellissima , and she tried to read in the King 's eyes the effect that this unexpected sight had had upon him . `` No one can tell you what you wish to know better than I can , '' said he . `` This chance meeting with an unhappy princess for whom I once had a passing fancy , before I was lucky enough to meet you , has affected me a little , I admit , but you are so much more to me than she is that I would rather die than leave you . '' `` Ah , Prince , '' she said , `` can I believe that you really love me so much ? '' `` Time will show , madam , '' replied the King ; `` but if you wish to convince me that you have some regard for me , do not , I beg of you , refuse to aid Bellissima . '' `` Do you know what you are asking ? '' said the Fairy of the Desert , frowning , and looking at him suspiciously . `` Do you want me to employ my art against the Yellow Dwarf , who is my best friend , and take away from him a proud princess whom I can but look upon as my rival ? '' The King sighed , but made no answer -- indeed , what was there to be said to such a clear-sighted person ? At last they reached a vast meadow , gay with all sorts of flowers ; a deep river surrounded it , and many little brooks murmured softly under the shady trees , where it was always cool and fresh . A little way off stood a splendid palace , the walls of which were of transparent emeralds . As soon as the swans which drew the Fairy 's chariot had alighted under a porch , which was paved with diamonds and had arches of rubies , they were greeted on all sides by thousands of beautiful beings , who came to meet them joyfully , singing these words : `` When Love within a heart would reign , Useless to strive against him 't is . The proud but feel a sharper pain , And make a greater triumph his . '' The Fairy of the Desert was delighted to hear them sing of her triumphs ; she led the King into the most splendid room that can be imagined , and left him alone for a little while , just that he might not feel that he was a prisoner ; but he felt sure that she had not really gone quite away , but was watching him from some hiding-place .
So walking up to a great mirror , he said to it , `` Trusty counsellor , let me see what I can do to make myself agreeable to the charming Fairy XXXXX the Desert ; for I can think of nothing but how to please her . ''
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