Oh ! Princess , I have loved you so long , and yet how dare I tell you of my love ! what hope can there be for an unhappy sheep like myself ? '' Miranda was so surprised and confused by all that she had heard that she hardly knew what answer to give to the King of the Sheep , but she managed to make some kind of little speech , which certainly did not forbid him to hope , and said that she should not be afraid of the shadows now she knew that they would some day come to life again . `` Alas ! '' she continued , `` if my poor Patypata , my dear Grabugeon , and pretty little Tintin , who all died for my sake , were equally well off , I should have nothing left to wish for here ! '' Prisoner though he was , the King of the Sheep had still some powers and privileges . `` Go , '' said he to his Master of the Horse , `` go and seek the shadows of the little black girl , the monkey , and the dog : they will amuse our Princess . '' And an instant afterward Miranda saw them coming toward her , and their presence gave her the greatest pleasure , though they did not come near enough for her to touch them . The King of the Sheep was so kind and amusing , and loved Miranda so dearly , that at last she began to love him too . Such a handsome sheep , who was so polite and considerate , could hardly fail to please , especially if one knew that he was really a king , and that his strange imprisonment would soon come to an end . So the Princess 's days passed very gaily while she waited for the happy time to come . The King of the Sheep , with the help of all the flock , got up balls , concerts , and hunting parties , and even the shadows joined in all the fun , and came , making believe to be their own real selves . One evening , when the couriers arrived -LRB- for the King sent most carefully for news -- and they always brought the very best kinds -RRB- , it was announced that the sister of the Princess Miranda was going to be married to a great Prince , and that nothing could be more splendid than all the preparations for the wedding . `` Ah ! '' cried the young Princess , `` how unlucky I am to miss the sight of so many pretty things ! Here am I imprisoned under the earth , with no company but sheep and shadows , while my sister is to be adorned like a queen and surrounded by all who love and admire her , and everyone but myself can go to wish her joy ! '' `` Why do you complain , Princess ? '' said the King of the Sheep . `` Did I say that you were not to go to the wedding ?
Set out as soon as you please ; only promise me XXXXX you will come back , for I love you too much to be able to live without you . ''
So if in of off than that to toward under