Unluckily the chief swineherd had an ugly old daughter , and whilst the prince was away he dressed her up in fine clothes , and threw Ilonka into the well . The prince returned before long , bringing with him his father and mother and a great train of courtiers to escort Ilonka home . But how they all stared when they saw the swineherd 's ugly daughter ! However , there was nothing for it but to take her home ; and , two days later , the prince married her , and his father gave up the crown to him . But he had no peace ! He knew very well he had been cheated , though he could not think how . Once he desired to have some water brought him from the well into which Ilonka had been thrown . The coachman went for it and , in the bucket he pulled up , a pretty little duck was swimming . He looked wonderingly at it , and all of a sudden it disappeared and he found a dirty looking girl standing near him . The girl returned with him and managed to get a place as housemaid in the palace . Of course she was very busy all day long , but whenever she had a little spare time she sat down to spin . Her distaff turned of itself and her spindle span by itself and the flax wound itself off ; and however much she might use there was always plenty left . When the queen -- or , rather , the swineherd 's daughter -- heard of this , she very much wished to have the distaff , but the girl flatly refused to give it to her . However , at last she consented on condition that she might sleep one night in the king 's room . The queen was very angry , and scolded her well ; but as she longed to have the distaff she consented , though she gave the king a sleeping draught at supper . Then the girl went to the king 's room looking seven times lovelier than ever . She bent over the sleeper and said : ` My heart 's love , I am yours and you are mine . Speak to me but once ; I am your Ilonka . ' But the king was so sound asleep he neither heard nor spoke , and Ilonka left the room , sadly thinking he was ashamed to own her . Soon after the queen again sent to say that she wanted to buy the spindle .
The girl agreed to let her have it on the same conditions as before ; but this time , also , the queen took care XXXXX give the king a sleeping draught .
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