Now let us speak of your father . When I went to his Court he was only a little boy , but that is forty years ago , and I have been in this desolate place ever since . Tell me what goes on nowadays ; are the ladies as fond of amusement as ever ? In my time one saw them at parties , theatres , balls , and promenades every day . Dear me ! what a long nose you have ! I can not get used to it ! '' `` Really , madam , '' said the Prince , `` I wish you would leave off mentioning my nose . It can not matter to you what it is like . I am quite satisfied with it , and have no wish to have it shorter . One must take what is given one . '' `` Now you are angry with me , my poor Hyacinth , '' said the Fairy , `` and I assure you that I did n't mean to vex you ; on the contrary , I wished to do you a service . However , though I really can not help your nose being a shock to me , I will try not to say anything about it . I will even try to think that you have an ordinary nose . To tell the truth , it would make three reasonable ones . '' The Prince , who was no longer hungry , grew so impatient at the Fairy 's continual remarks about his nose that at last he threw himself upon his horse and rode hastily away . But wherever he came in his journeyings he thought the people were mad , for they all talked of his nose , and yet he could not bring himself to admit that it was too long , he had been so used all his life to hear it called handsome . The old Fairy , who wished to make him happy , at last hit upon a plan . She shut the Dear Little Princess up in a palace of crystal , and put this palace down where the Prince would not fail to find it . His joy at seeing the Princess again was extreme , and he set to work with all his might to try to break her prison ; but in spite of all his efforts he failed utterly .
In despair he thought XXXXX least that he would try to get near enough to speak to the Dear Little Princess , who , on her part , stretched out her hand that he might kiss it ; but turn which way he might , he never could raise it to his lips , for his long nose always prevented it .
In as at down for of though to upon with