With a bound she was in the saddle , and seizing the reins bade Sunlight take her home as fast as his legs could carry him . The sound of the flying hoofs aroused the nun , who understood instantly that the precious treasure was stolen , and her shrieks were so loud and piercing that all the rest came flying to see what was the matter . The hermit followed at their heels , but seeing it was impossible to overtake the thief , he fell on his knees and called his most deadly curse down on her head , praying that if the thief was a man , he might become a woman ; and if she was a woman , that she might become a man . In either case he thought that the punishment would be severe . But punishments are things about which people do not always agree , and when the princess suddenly felt she was really the man she had pretended to be , she was delighted , and if the hermit had only been within reach she would have thanked him from her heart . By the time she reached the emperor 's court , Fet-Fruners looked a young man all over in the eyes of everyone ; and even the mother of the genius would now have had her doubts set at rest . He drew forth the vase from his tunic and held it up to the emperor , saying : ` Mighty Sovereign , all hail ! I have fulfilled this task also , and I hope it is the last you have for me ; let another now take his turn . ' ' I am content , Fet-Fruners , ' replied the emperor , ` and when I am dead it is you who will sit upon my throne ; for I have yet no son to come after me . But if one is given me , and my dearest wish is accomplished , then you shall be his right hand , and guide him with your counsels . ' But though the emperor was satisfied , Iliane was not , and she determined to revenge herself on the emperor for the dangers which he had caused Fet-Fruners to run . And as for the vase of holy water , she thought that , in common politeness , her suitor ought to have fetched it himself , which he could have done without any risk at all . So she ordered the great bath to be filled with the milk of her mares , and begged the emperor to clothe himself in white robes , and enter the bath with her , an invitation he accepted with joy . Then , when both were standing with the milk reaching to their necks , she sent for the horse which had fought Sunlight , and made a secret sign to him . The horse understood what he was to do , and from one nostril he breathed fresh air over Iliane , and from the other , he snorted a burning wind which shrivelled up the emperor where he stood , leaving only a little heap of ashes . His strange death , which no one could explain , made a great sensation throughout the country , and the funeral his people gave him was the most splendid ever known . When it was over , Iliane summoned Fet-Fruners before her , and addressed him thus : ` Fet-Fruners ! it is you who brought me and have saved my life , and obeyed my wishes . It is you who gave me back my stud ; you who killed the genius , and the old witch his mother ; you who brought me the holy water . And you , and none other , shall be my husband . '
` Yes , I will marry you , ' said the young man , with a voice almost as soft XXXXX when he was a princess .
So about as before from if in though to within