And no wonder . The stranger did not look remarkably good-natured , in spite of his smile ; and as for his voice , its tones were deep and stern , and sounded as much like the rumbling of an earthquake underground than anything else . As is always the case with children in trouble , Proserpina 's first thought was to call for her mother . `` Mother , Mother Ceres ! '' cried she , all in a tremble . `` Come quickly and save me . '' But her voice was too faint for her mother to hear . Indeed , it is most probable that Ceres was then a thousand miles off , making the corn grow in some far distant country . Nor could it have availed her poor daughter , even had she been within hearing ; for no sooner did Proserpina begin to cry out , than the stranger leaped to the ground , caught the child in his arms , and again mounted the chariot , shook the reins , and shouted to the four black horses to set off . They immediately broke into so swift a gallop , that it seemed rather like flying through the air than running along the earth . In a moment , Proserpina lost sight of the pleasant vale of Enna , in which she had always dwelt . Another instant , and even the summit of Mount Aetna had become so blue in the distance , that she could scarcely distinguish it from the smoke that gushed out of its crater . But still the poor child screamed , and scattered her apron full of flowers along the way , and left a long cry trailing behind the chariot ; and many mothers , to whose ears it came , ran quickly to see if any mischief had befallen their children . But Mother Ceres was a great way off , and could not hear the cry . As they rode on , the stranger did his best to soothe her . `` Why should you be so frightened , my pretty child ? '' said he , trying to soften his rough voice . `` I promise not to do you any harm . What ! you have been gathering flowers ?
Wait till we come to my palace , and I will give you a garden full XXXXX prettier flowers than those , all made of pearls , and diamonds , and rubies .
for from in into of off than that to within