But the phantom did but fly the faster , and the Prince spent the whole day in this vain pursuit . When night came he saw the castle before him all lighted up , and as he imagined that the Princess must be in it , he made haste to get there too . He entered without difficulty , and in the hall the terrible old Fairy met him . She was so thin that the light shone through her , and her eyes glowed like lamps ; her skin was like a shark 's , her arms were thin as laths , and her fingers like spindles . Nevertheless she wore rouge and patches , a mantle of silver brocade and a crown of diamonds , and her dress was covered with jewels , and green and pink ribbons . ` At last you have come to see me , Prince , ' said she . ` Do n't waste another thought upon that little shepherdess , who is unworthy of your notice . I am the Queen of the Comets , and can bring you to great honour if you will marry me . ' ` Marry you , Madam , ' cried the Prince , in horror . ` No , I will never consent to that . ' Thereupon the Fairy , in a rage , gave two strokes of her wand and filled the gallery with horrible goblins , against whom the Prince had to fight for his life . Though he had only his dagger , he defended himself so well that he escaped without any harm , and presently the old Fairy stopped the fray and asked the Prince if he was still of the same mind . When he answered firmly that he was , she called up the appearance of the Princess Sunbeam to the other end of the gallery , and said : ` You see your beloved there ? Take care what you are about , for if you again refuse to marry me she shall be torn in pieces by two tigers . ' The Prince was distracted , for he fancied he heard his dear shepherdess weeping and begging him to save her . In despair he cried : ` Oh , Fairy Douceline , have you abandoned me after so many promises of friendship ? Help , help us now ! ' Immediately a soft voice said in his ear : ` Be firm , happen what may , and seek the Golden Branch . ' Thus encouraged , the Prince persevered in his refusal , and at length the old Fairy in a fury cried : ` Get out of my sight , obstinate Prince . Become a Cricket ! '
And instantly the handsome Prince Peerless became a poor little black Cricket , whose only idea would have been to find himself a cosy cranny behind some blazing hearth , XXXXX he had not luckily remembered the Fairy Douceline 's injunction to seek the Golden Branch .
Though as at before if in like that through with