s very instant, for I will not have that saucy face a minute longer
in my sight."

Poor Porziella, seeing herself thus caught in the net, with the face of
a person condemned to death, with the heart of one whose head is lying
between the axe and the block, took the hand of the ogre, who dragged
her off without any attendants to the wood where the trees made a
palace for the meadow to prevent its being discovered by the sun, and
the brooks murmured, having knocked against the stones in the dark,
while the wild beasts wandered where they liked without paying toll,
and went safely through the thicket whither no man ever came unless he
had lost his way. Upon this spot, which was as black as an unswept
chimney, stood the ogre's house ornamented all round with the bones of
the men whom he had devoured. Think but for a moment of the horror of
it to the poor girl.

But this was nothing at all in comparison with what was to come. Before
dinner she had peas and after dinner parched beans. Then the ogre went
out to hunt and returned home laden with the quarters of the men whom
he had killed, saying, "Now, wife, you cannot complain that I don't
take good care of you; here is a fine store of eatables, take and make
merry and love me well, for the sky will fall before I will let you
want for food."

Poor Porziella could not endure this horrible sight and turned her face
away. But when the ogre saw this he cried, "Ha! this is throwing
sweetmeats before swine; never mind, however, only have patience till
to-morrow morning, for I have been invited to a wild boar hunt and will
bring you home a couple of boars, and we'll make a grand feast with our
kinsfolk and celebrate the wedding." So saying he went into the forest.

Now as Porziella stood weeping at the window it chanced that an old
woman passed by who, being famished with hunger, begged some food. "Ah,
my good woman," said Porziella, "Heaven knows I am in the power of the
ogre who brings me home nothing but pieces of the men he has killed. I
pass the most miserable life possible, and yet I am the daughter of a
king and have been brought up in luxury." And so saying she began to
cry like a little girl who sees her bread and butter taken away from
her.

The old woman's heart was softened at this sight and she said to
Porziella, "Be of good heart, my pretty girl, do not spoil your beauty
with crying, for you have met with luck; I can help you to both saddle
and trappings. Listen,