the old man gave orders that no one was to sleep that night, all in the house were to keep a strict watch, and be ready to protect the princess. with these precautions, and the help of the emperor's men-at-arms, he hoped to withstand the moon-messengers, but the princess told him that all these measures to keep her would be useless, and that when her people came for her nothing whatever could prevent them from carrying out their purpose. even the emperors men would be powerless. then she added with tears that she was very, very sorry to leave him and his wife, whom she had learned to love as her parents, that if she could do as she liked she would stay with them in their old age, and try to make some return for all the love and kindness they had showered upon her during all her earthly life.