The King caused an escort suitable to her rank to be got ready for her , and she dressed herself splendidly , not forgetting anything that could make her more beautiful . Her chariot was of mother-of-pearl , drawn by six dun-colored griffins just brought from the other side of the world , and she was attended by a number of guards in splendid uniforms , who were all at least eight feet high and had come from far and near to ride in the Princess 's train . Miranda reached her father 's palace just as the wedding ceremony began , and everyone , as soon as she came in , was struck with surprise at her beauty and the splendor of her jewels . She heard exclamations of admiration on all sides ; and the King her father looked at her so attentively that she was afraid he must recognize her ; but he was so sure that she was dead that the idea never occurred to him . However , the fear of not getting away made her leave before the marriage was over . She went out hastily , leaving behind her a little coral casket set with emeralds . On it was written in diamond letters : `` Jewels for the Bride , '' and when they opened it , which they did as soon as it was found , there seemed to be no end to the pretty things it contained . The King , who had hoped to join the unknown Princess and find out who she was , was dreadfully disappointed when she disappeared so suddenly , and gave orders that if she ever came again the doors were to be shut that she might not get away so easily . Short as Miranda 's absence had been , it had seemed like a hundred years to the King of the Sheep . He was waiting for her by a fountain in the thickest part of the forest , and the ground was strewn with splendid presents which he had prepared for her to show his joy and gratitude at her coming back . As soon as she was in sight he rushed to meet her , leaping and bounding like a real sheep . He caressed her tenderly , throwing himself at her feet and kissing her hands , and told her how uneasy he had been in her absence , and how impatient for her return , with an eloquence which charmed her . After some time came the news that the King 's second daughter was going to be married . When Miranda heard it she begged the King of the Sheep to allow her to go and see the wedding as before . This request made him feel very sad , as if some misfortune must surely come of it , but his love for the Princess being stronger than anything else he did not like to refuse her . `` You wish to leave me , Princess , '' said he ; `` it is my unhappy fate -- you are not to blame . I consent to your going , but , believe me , I can give you no stronger proof of my love than by so doing . '' The Princess assured him that she would only stay a very short time , as she had done before , and begged him not to be uneasy , as she would be quite as much grieved if anything detained her as he could possibly be . So , with the same escort , she set out , and reached the palace as the marriage ceremony began . Everybody was delighted to see her ; she was so pretty that they thought she must be some fairy princess , and the Princes who were there could not take their eyes off her .
The King was more glad than anyone else XXXXX she had come again , and gave orders that the doors should all be shut and bolted that very minute .
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