This had kept their hands very soft and white , like the hands of a girl , and when the water was passed through the lattice , and the servant saw the small , delicate fingers , he said to himself : ' A maiden must indeed be lovely if she has a hand like that . ' And he made haste back , and told the king . ` Go back at once , ' said his majesty , ` and try to get a sight of her . ' The faithful servant departed on his errand without losing any time , and again he knocked at the door of the little house and begged for some water . As before , the old woman did not open the door , but passed the water through the lattice . ` Do you live here alone ? ' asked the man . ` No , ' replied she , ` my sister lives with me . We are poor girls , and have to work for our bread . ' ` How old are you ? ' ' I am fifteen , and she is twenty . ' Then the servant went back to the king , and told him all he knew . And his majesty answered : ' I will have the fifteen-year-old one . Go and bring her here . ' The servant returned a third time to the little house and knocked at the door . In reply to his knock the lattice window was pushed open , and a voice inquired what it was he wanted . ` The king has desired me to bring back the youngest of you to become his queen , ' he replied . ` Tell his majesty I am ready to do his bidding , but since my birth no ray of light has fallen upon my face . If it should ever do so I shall instantly grow black . Therefore beg , I pray you , his most gracious majesty to send this evening a shut carriage , and I will return in it to the castle .
When the king heard this he ordered his great golden carriage to be prepared , and in it XXXXX be placed some magnificent robes ; and the old woman wrapped herself in a thick veil , and was driven to the castle .
As If at in on since to upon with without