In vain the poor girl tried to explain how the lock of hair came into her possession ; the emperor would listen to nothing , and , bowing low , she left his presence and went to consult Sunlight what she was to do . At his first words she brightened up . ` Do not be afraid , mistress ; only last night my brother appeared to me in a dream and told me that a genius had carried off Iliane , whose hair you picked up on the road . But Iliane declares that , before she marries her captor , he must bring her , as a present , the whole stud of mares which belong to her . The genius , half crazy with love , thinks of nothing night and day but how this can be done , and meanwhile she is quite safe in the island swamps of the sea . Go back to the emperor and ask him for twenty ships filled with precious merchandise . The rest you shall know by-and-by . ' On hearing this advice , the princess went at once into the emperor 's presence . ` May a long life be yours , O Sovereign all mighty ! ' said she . ' I have come to tell you that I can do as you command if you will give me twenty ships , and load them with the most precious wares in your kingdom . ' ` You shall have all that I possess if you will bring me the golden-haired Iliane , ' said the emperor . The ships were soon ready , and the princess entered the largest and finest , with Sunlight at her side . Then the sails were spread and the voyage began . For seven weeks the wind blew them straight towards the west , and early one morning they caught sight of the island swamps of the sea . They cast anchor in a little bay , and the princess made haste to disembark with Sunlight , but , before leaving the ship , she tied to her belt a pair of tiny gold slippers , adorned with precious stones . Then mounting Sunlight , she rode about till she came to several palaces , built on hinges , so that they could always turn towards the sun . The most splendid of these was guarded by three slaves , whose greedy eyes were caught by the glistening gold of the slippers . They hastened up to the owner of these treasures , and inquired who he was . ' A merchant , ' replied the princess , ` who had somehow missed his road , and lost himself among the island swamps of the sea . '
Not knowing if it was proper to receive him or not , the slaves returned to their mistress and told her all they had seen , but not XXXXX she had caught sight of the merchant from the roof of her palace .
On as at before by for if of that towards