your skin without
spoiling its colour. My cousin is one of the best matches in the sea,
and I will bestow so many gifts on him that you will be quite happy.'

The fairy talked so well and so long that the princess was rather
impressed, and promised to think the matter over.

Just as they were going to leave the garden they saw a ship sailing
nearer the tower than any other had done before. On the deck lay a young
man under a splendid awning, gazing at the tower through a spy-glass;
but before they could see anything clearly the ship moved away, and the
two ladies parted, the fairy promising to return shortly.

As soon as she was gone Graziella told her governess what she had said.
Bonnetta was not at all pleased at the turn matters were taking, for she
did not fancy being turned into a mermaid in her old age. She thought
the matter well over, and this was what she did. She was a very clever
artist, and next morning she began to paint a picture of a handsome
young man, with beautiful curly hair, a fine complexion, and lovely blue
eyes. When it was finished she showed it to Graziella, hoping it would
show her the difference there was between a fine young man and her
marine suitor.

The princess was much struck by the picture, and asked anxiously whether
there could be any man so good-looking in the world. Bonnetta assured
her that there were plenty of them; indeed, many far handsomer.

'I can hardly believe that,' cried the princess; 'but, alas! if there
are, I don't suppose I shall ever see them or they me, so what is the
use? Oh, dear, how unhappy I am!'

She spent the rest of the day gazing at the picture, which certainly had
the effect of spoiling all the merman's hopes or prospects.

After some days, the fairy Marina came back to hear what was decided;
but Graziella hardly paid any attention to her, and showed such dislike
to the idea of the proposed marriage that the fairy went off in a
regular huff.

Without knowing it, the princess had made another conquest. On board the
ship which had sailed so near was the handsomest prince in the world. He
had heard of the enchanted tower, and determined to get as near it as he
could. He had strong glasses on board, and whilst looking through them
he saw the princess quite clearly, and fell desperately in love with her
at once. He wanted to steer straight for the tower and to row off to it
in a small boat, but his entire crew fell at his feet and begged him
not to run