nce hurried back to his castle to gather
together a troop of horsemen, full of courage for whatever might
befall.

The princess meanwhile was craftily pursuing her plan of escape. She
left off treating the gnome with coldness and indifference; indeed,
there was a look in her eyes which encouraged him to hope that she
might some day return his love, and the idea pleased him mightily. The
next day, as soon as the sun rose, she made her appearance decked as a
bride, in the wonderful robes and jewels which the fond gnome had
prepared for her. Her golden hair was braided and crowned with myrtle
blossoms, and her flowing veil sparkled with gems. In these
magnificent garments she went to meet the gnome upon the great
terrace.

'Loveliest of maidens,' he stammered, bowing low before her, 'let me
gaze into your dear eyes, and read in them that you will no longer
refuse my love, but will make me the happiest being the sun shines
upon.'

So saying he would have drawn aside her veil; but the princess only
held it more closely about her.

'Your constancy has overcome me,' she said; 'I can no longer oppose
your wishes. But believe my words, and suffer this veil still to hide
my blushes and tears.'

'Why tears, beloved one?' cried the gnome anxiously; 'every tear of
yours falls upon my heart like a drop of molten gold. Greatly as I
desire your love, I do not ask a sacrifice.'

'Ah!' cried the false princess, 'why do you misunderstand my tears? My
heart answers to your tenderness, and yet I am fearful. A wife cannot
always charm, and though _you_ will never alter, the beauty of mortals
is as a flower that fades. How can I be sure that you will always be
as loving and charming as you are now?'

'Ask some proof, sweetheart,' said he. 'Put my obedience and my
patience to some test by which you can judge of my unalterable love.'

'Be it so,' answered the crafty maiden. 'Then give me just one proof
of your goodness. Go! count the turnips in yonder meadow. My wedding
feast must not lack guests. They shall provide me with bride-maidens
too. But beware lest you deceive me, and do not miss a single one.
That shall be the test of your truth towards me.'

Unwilling as the gnome was to lose sight of his beautiful bride for a
moment, he obeyed her commands without delay, and hurried off to begin
his task. He skipped along among the turnips as nimbly as a
grasshopper, and had soon counted them all; but, to be quite certain
that he had m