She was still busy with them when a voice behind her said : ` Pardon me , fair lady , but it is MY doe you are trying to steal ! ' ` Excuse me , good knight ' answered Eglantine , hardly glancing at him , ` but it is MY doe that is tied up here ! And if you wish for a proof of it , you can see if she knows me or not . Touch my heart , my little one , ' she continued , dropping on her knees . And the doe lifted up its fore-foot and laid it on her side . ` Now put your arms round my neck , and sigh . ' And again the doe did as she was bid . ` You are right , ' said the prince ; ` but it is with sorrow I give her up to you , for though I have wounded her yet I love her deeply . ' To this Eglantine answered nothing ; but carefully raising up the doe , she led her slowly to the hut . Now both the prince and Becasigue were quite unaware that the old woman had any guests besides themselves , and , following afar , were much surprised to behold Eglantine and her charge enter the cottage . They lost no time in questioning the old woman , who replied that she knew nothing about the lady and her white doe , who slept next the chamber occupied by the prince and his friend , but that they were very quiet , and paid her well . Then she went back to her kitchen . ` Do you know , ' said Becasigue , when they were alone , ' I am certain that the lady we saw is the maid of honour to the Princess Desiree , whom I met at the palace . And , as her room is next to this , it will be easy to make a small hole through which I can satisfy myself whether I am right or not . ' So , taking a knife out of his pocket , he began to saw away the woodwork . The girls heard the grating noise , but fancying it was a mouse , paid no attention , and Becasigue was left in peace to pursue his work . At length the hole was large enough for him to peep through , and the sight was one to strike him dumb with amazement . He had guessed truly : the tall lady was Eglantine herself ; but the other -- where had he seen her ? Ah ! now he knew -- it was the lady of the portrait !
Desiree , in a flowing dress XXXXX green silk , was lying stretched out upon cushions , and as Eglantine bent over her to bathe the wounded leg , she began to talk : ` Oh !
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