`` What a pity it is that men do nothing but torment and persecute poor creatures which never do them any harm ! '' said he , and he took out his knife and cut the cords of the net , and the owl flitted away into the darkness , but then turning , with one flicker of her wings , she came back to Charming and said : `` It does not need many words to tell you how great a service you have done me . I was caught ; in a few minutes the fowlers would have been here -- without your help I should have been killed . I am grateful , and one day I will repay you . '' These three adventures were the only ones of any consequence that befell Charming upon his journey , and he made all the haste he could to reach the palace of the Princess Goldilocks . When he arrived he thought everything he saw delightful and magnificent . Diamonds were as plentiful as pebbles , and the gold and silver , the beautiful dresses , the sweetmeats and pretty things that were everywhere quite amazed him ; he thought to himself : `` If the Princess consents to leave all this , and come with me to marry the King , he may think himself lucky ! '' Then he dressed himself carefully in rich brocade , with scarlet and white plumes , and threw a splendid embroidered scarf over his shoulder , and , looking as gay and as graceful as possible , he presented himself at the door of the palace , carrying in his arm a tiny pretty dog which he had bought on the way . The guards saluted him respectfully , and a messenger was sent to the Princess to announce the arrival of Charming as ambassador of her neighbor the King . `` Charming , '' said the Princess , `` the name promises well ; I have no doubt that he is good looking and fascinates everybody . '' `` Indeed he does , madam , '' said all her maids of honor in one breath . `` We saw him from the window of the garret where we were spinning flax , and we could do nothing but look at him as long as he was in sight . '' `` Well to be sure , '' said the Princess , `` that 's how you amuse yourselves , is it ? Looking at strangers out of the window ! Be quick and give me my blue satin embroidered dress , and comb out my golden hair . Let somebody make me fresh garlands of flowers , and give me my high-heeled shoes and my fan , and tell them to sweep my great hall and my throne , for I want everyone to say I am really ` Pretty Goldilocks . ' '' You can imagine how all her maids scurried this way and that to make the Princess ready , and how in their haste they knocked their heads together and hindered each other , till she thought they would never have done . However , at last they led her into the gallery of mirrors that she might assure herself that nothing was lacking in her appearance , and then she mounted her throne of gold , ebony , and ivory , while her ladies took their guitars and began to sing softly . Then Charming was led in , and was so struck with astonishment and admiration that at first not a word could he say . But presently he took courage and delivered his harangue , bravely ending by begging the Princess to spare him the disappointment of going back without her .
`` Sir Charming , '' answered she , `` all the reasons you have given me are very good ones , and I assure you that I should have more pleasure in obliging you than anyone else , but you must know that a month ago as I was walking by the river XXXXX my ladies I took off my glove , and as I did so a ring that I was wearing slipped off my finger and rolled into the water .
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