You may imagine how hard-hearted her lovers thought her ; and the Queen , who wished to see her married , did not know how to persuade her to think of it seriously . `` Bellissima , '' she said , `` I do wish you would not be so proud . What makes you despise all these nice kings ? I wish you to marry one of them , and you do not try to please me . '' `` I am so happy , '' Bellissima answered : `` do leave me in peace , madam . I do n't want to care for anyone . '' `` But you would be very happy with any of these Princes , '' said the Queen , `` and I shall be very angry if you fall in love with anyone who is not worthy of you . '' But the Princess thought so much of herself that she did not consider any one of her lovers clever or handsome enough for her ; and her mother , who was getting really angry at her determination not to be married , began to wish that she had not allowed her to have her own way so much . At last , not knowing what else to do , she resolved to consult a certain witch who was called `` The Fairy of the Desert . '' Now this was very difficult to do , as she was guarded by some terrible lions ; but happily the Queen had heard a long time before that whoever wanted to pass these lions safely must throw to them a cake made of millet flour , sugar-candy , and crocodile 's eggs . This cake she prepared with her own hands , and putting it in a little basket , she set out to seek the Fairy . But as she was not used to walking far , she soon felt very tired and sat down at the foot of a tree to rest , and presently fell fast asleep . When she awoke she was dismayed to find her basket empty . The cake was all gone ! and , to make matters worse , at that moment she heard the roaring of the great lions , who had found out that she was near and were coming to look for her . `` What shall I do ? '' she cried ; `` I shall be eaten up , '' and being too frightened to run a single step , she began to cry , and leaned against the tree under which she had been asleep . Just then she heard some one say : `` H 'm , h 'm ! '' She looked all round her , and then up the tree , and there she saw a little tiny man , who was eating oranges . `` Oh !
Queen , '' said he , `` I know you very well , and I know how much afraid you are of the lions ; and you are quite right too , for they have eaten many other people : and what can you expect , XXXXX you have not any cake to give them ? ''
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