The maiden blushed and answered: 'Ah, my lord, it is long since I
first beheld your face, but I did not think you had ever seen mine.'

'Oh, madam,' replied he, 'you can never guess the days and the hours I
have passed lost in admiration of you.' And after these words they
each related all the strange things that had happened, and the more
they talked the more they felt convinced of the truth of the images
they had seen in their mirrors. After some time spent in the most
tender conversation, the Prince could not restrain himself from asking
the lovely unknown by what lucky chance she was wandering in the
forest; where the fountain had gone; and if she knew anything of the
Frog to whom he owed all his happiness, and to whom he must give up
the bird, which, somehow or other, was still sound asleep.

'Ah, my lord,' she replied, with rather an awkward air, 'as to the
Frog, she stands before you. Let me tell you my story; it is not a
long one. I know neither my country nor my parents, and the only thing
I can say for certain is that I am called Serpentine. The fairies, who
have taken care of me ever since I was born, wished me to be in
ignorance as to my family, but they have looked after my education,
and have bestowed on me endless kindness. I have always lived in
seclusion, and for the last two years I have wished for nothing
better. I had a mirror'--here shyness and embarrassment choked her
words--but regaining her self-control, she added, 'You know that
fairies insist on being obeyed without questioning. It was they who
changed the little house you saw before you into the fountain for
which you are now asking, and, having turned me into a frog, they
ordered me to say to the first person who came to the fountain exactly
what I repeated to you. But, my lord, when you stood before me, it was
agony to my heart, filled as it was with thoughts of you, to appear to
your eyes under so monstrous a form. However, there was no help for
it, and, painful as it was, I had to submit. I desired your success
with all my soul, not only for your own sake, but also for my own,
because I could not get back my proper shape till you had become
master of the beautiful bird, though I am quite ignorant as to your
reason for seeking it.'

On this Saphir explained about the state of his father's health, and
all that has been told before.

On hearing this story Serpentine grew very sad, and her lovely eyes
filled with tears.

'Ah, my lord