recognised that he had been helped by some magic art, and on the spot
gave up all claim to the beautiful mermaid. 'Dear youth,' he said,
'forgive me for my shameful conduct to you, and, as a sign that you
pardon me, accept the golden horse as a present. I acknowledge your
power to be greater even than I can understand, for you have succeeded
in gaining possession of the golden mermaid, whom hitherto no mortal has
ever been able to approach.' Then they all sat down to a huge feast, and
the Prince had to relate his adventures all over again, to the wonder
and astonishment of the whole company.

But the Prince was wearying now to return to his own kingdom, so as soon
as the feast was over he took farewell of the Emperor, and set out on
his homeward way. He lifted the mermaid on to the golden horse, and
swung himself up behind her--and so they rode on merrily, with the wolf
trotting behind, till they came to the country of the Emperor with the
golden bird. The renown of the Prince and his adventure had gone before
him, and the Emperor sat on his throne awaiting the arrival of the
Prince and his companions. When the three rode into the courtyard of the
palace, they were surprised and delighted to find everything festively
illuminated and decorated for their reception. When the Prince and the
golden mermaid, with the wolf behind them, mounted the steps of the
palace, the Emperor came forward to meet them, and led them to the
throne room. At the same moment a servant appeared with the golden bird
in its golden cage, and the Emperor begged the Prince to accept it with
his love, and to forgive him the indignity he had suffered at his hands.
Then the Emperor bent low before the beautiful mermaid, and, offering
her his arm, he led her into dinner, closely followed by the Prince and
her friend the wolf; the latter seating himself at table, not the least
embarrassed that no one had invited him to do so.

As soon as the sumptuous meal was over, the Prince and his mermaid took
leave of the Emperor, and, seating themselves on the golden horse,
continued their homeward journey. On the way the wolf turned to the
Prince and said, 'Dear friends, I must now bid you farewell, but I leave
you under such happy circumstances that I cannot feel our parting to be
a sad one.' The Prince was very unhappy when he heard these words, and
begged the wolf to stay with them always; but this the good creature
refused to do, though he thanked the Prince ki