` What are you doing there , you lovely creature ? ' she said to Zizi . ' I am waiting for my lover , ' Zizi replied ; and then , with a simplicity quite natural in a girl who so lately had been a canary , she told all her story . The gypsy had often seen the young Prince pass by , with his gun on his shoulder , when he was going after crows . She was too ugly and ragged for him ever to have noticed her , but Titty on her side had admired him , though she thought he might well have been a little fatter . ` Dear , dear ! ' she said to herself . ` So he likes yellow women ! Why , I am yellow too , and if I could only think of a way -- ' It was not long before she did think of it . ` What ! ' cried the sly Titty , ` they are coming with great pomp to fetch you , and you are not afraid to show yourself to so many fine lords and ladies with your hair down like that ? Get down at once , my poor child , and let me dress your hair for you ! ' The innocent Zizi came down at once , and stood by Titty . The gypsy began to comb her long brown locks , when suddenly she drew a pin from her stays , and , just as the titmouse digs its beak into the heads of linnets and larks , Titty dug the pin into the head of Zizi . No sooner did Zizi feel the prick of the pin than she became a bird again , and , spreading her wings , she flew away . ` That was neatly done , ' said the gypsy . ` The Prince will be clever if he finds his bride . ' And , arranging her dress , she seated herself on the grass to await Desire . XII Meanwhile the Prince was coming as fast as his horse could carry him . He was so impatient that he was always full fifty yards in front of the lords and ladies sent by Tubby to bring back Zizi .
At the sight of the hideous gypsy he was struck dumb XXXXX surprise and horror .
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