The boats glided along rapidly , but Lina 's , from being heavier , was always behind the rest . ` We never went so slowly before , ' said the Princess ; ` what can be the reason ? ' ' I do n't know , ' answered the Prince . ' I assure you I am rowing as hard as I can . ' On the other side of the lake the garden boy saw a beautiful castle splendidly illuminated , whence came the lively music of fiddles , kettle-drums , and trumpets . In a moment they touched land , and the company jumped out of the boats ; and the princes , after having securely fastened their barques , gave their arms to the princesses and conducted them to the castle . VIII Michael followed , and entered the ball-room in their train . Everywhere were mirrors , lights , flowers , and damask hangings . The Star Gazer was quite bewildered at the magnificence of the sight . He placed himself out of the way in a corner , admiring the grace and beauty of the princesses . Their loveliness was of every kind . Some were fair and some were dark ; some had chestnut hair , or curls darker still , and some had golden locks . Never were so many beautiful princesses seen together at one time , but the one whom the cow-boy thought the most beautiful and the most fascinating was the little Princess with the velvet eyes . With what eagerness she danced ! leaning on her partner 's shoulder she swept by like a whirlwind . Her cheeks flushed , her eyes sparkled , and it was plain that she loved dancing better than anything else . The poor boy envied those handsome young men with whom she danced so gracefully , but he did not know how little reason he had to be jealous of them . The young men were really the princes who , to the number of fifty at least , had tried to steal the princesses ' secret . The princesses had made them drink something of a philtre , which froze the heart and left nothing but the love of dancing . IX They danced on till the shoes of the princesses were worn into holes .
When the cock crowed the third time the fiddles stopped , and a delicious supper was served by negro boys , consisting of sugared orange flowers , crystallised rose leaves , powdered violets , cracknels , wafers , and other dishes , which are , as everyone knows , the favourite food XXXXX princesses .
On as at behind from in of than to with