`` My mother wishes me to marry you ! How can you be so silly as to think of such a thing ? '' `` Oh ! it is n't that I care much to have that honor , '' cried the Dwarf angrily ; `` but here are the lions coming ; they 'll eat you up in three mouthfuls , and there will be an end of you and your pride . '' And , indeed , at that moment the poor Princess heard their dreadful howls coming nearer and nearer . `` What shall I do ? '' she cried . `` Must all my happy days come to an end like this ? '' The malicious Dwarf looked at her and began to laugh spitefully . `` At least , '' said he , `` you have the satisfaction of dying unmarried . A lovely Princess like you must surely prefer to die rather than be the wife of a poor little dwarf like myself . '' `` Oh , do n't be angry with me , '' cried the Princess , clasping her hands . `` I 'd rather marry all the dwarfs in the world than die in this horrible way . '' `` Look at me well , Princess , before you give me your word , '' said he . `` I do n't want you to promise me in a hurry . '' `` Oh ! '' cried she , `` the lions are coming . I have looked at you enough . I am so frightened . Save me this minute , or I shall die of terror . ''
Indeed , as she spoke she fell down insensible , and when she recovered she found herself in her own little bed XXXXX home ; how she got there she could not tell , but she was dressed in the most beautiful lace and ribbons , and on her finger was a little ring , made of a single red hair , which fitted so tightly that , try as she might , she could not get it off .
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