And then it was not long before she had it open , and was admiring the treasures it contained as much as Prince Peerless had done before her , and at last she came to the carbuncle box . No sooner had she opened it than with a shudder of horror she tried to throw it down , but found that some mysterious power compelled her to hold it against her will . And at this moment a voice in her ear said softly : ` Take courage , Princess ; upon this adventure your future happiness depends . ' ` What am I to do ? ' said the Princess trembling . ` Take the box , ' replied the voice , ` and hide it under your pillow , and when you see an Eagle , give it to him without losing a moment . ' Terrified as the Princess was , she did not hesitate to obey , and hastened to put back all the other precious things precisely as she had found them . By this time her guards were seeking her everywhere , and they were amazed to find her up in the turret , for they said she could only have got there by magic . For three days nothing happened , but at last in the night the Princess heard something flutter against her window , and drawing back her curtains she saw in the moonlight that it was an Eagle . Limping across at her utmost speed she threw the window open , and the great Eagle sailed in beating with his wings for joy . The Princess lost no time in offering it the carbuncle box , which it grasped in its talons , and instantly disappeared , leaving in its place the most beautiful Prince she had ever seen , who was splendidly dressed , and wore a diamond crown . ` Princess , ' said he , ` for two hundred years has a wicked enchanter kept me here . We both loved the same Fairy , but she preferred me . However , he was more powerful than I , and succeeded , when for a moment I was off my guard , in changing me into an Eagle , while my Queen was left in an enchanted sleep . I knew that after two hundred years a Prince would recall her to the light of day , and a Princess , in restoring to me the hand which my enemy had cut off , would give me back my natural form . The Fairy who watches over your destiny told me this , and it was she who guided you to the cabinet in the turret , where she had placed my hand . It is she also who permits me to show my gratitude to you by granting whatever favour you may ask of me . Tell me , Princess , what is it that you wish for most ? Shall I make you as beautiful as you deserve to be ? ' ` Ah , if you only would ! '
cried the Princess , and XXXXX the same moment she heard a crick-cracking in all her bones .
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