Prisoner though he was , the King of the Sheep had still some powers and privileges . `` Go , '' said he to his Master of the Horse , `` go and seek the shadows of the little black girl , the monkey , and the dog : they will amuse our Princess . '' And an instant afterward Miranda saw them coming toward her , and their presence gave her the greatest pleasure , though they did not come near enough for her to touch them . The King of the Sheep was so kind and amusing , and loved Miranda so dearly , that at last she began to love him too . Such a handsome sheep , who was so polite and considerate , could hardly fail to please , especially if one knew that he was really a king , and that his strange imprisonment would soon come to an end . So the Princess 's days passed very gaily while she waited for the happy time to come . The King of the Sheep , with the help of all the flock , got up balls , concerts , and hunting parties , and even the shadows joined in all the fun , and came , making believe to be their own real selves . One evening , when the couriers arrived -LRB- for the King sent most carefully for news -- and they always brought the very best kinds -RRB- , it was announced that the sister of the Princess Miranda was going to be married to a great Prince , and that nothing could be more splendid than all the preparations for the wedding . `` Ah ! '' cried the young Princess , `` how unlucky I am to miss the sight of so many pretty things ! Here am I imprisoned under the earth , with no company but sheep and shadows , while my sister is to be adorned like a queen and surrounded by all who love and admire her , and everyone but myself can go to wish her joy ! '' `` Why do you complain , Princess ? '' said the King of the Sheep . `` Did I say that you were not to go to the wedding ? Set out as soon as you please ; only promise me that you will come back , for I love you too much to be able to live without you . '' Miranda was very grateful to him , and promised faithfully that nothing in the world should keep her from coming back . 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 XXXXX not getting away made her leave before the marriage was over .
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