'and
beside, I very much doubt if you will have leisure to listen, for the
affair is by no means finished. In fact,' she continued in the same
languid tone, 'you had better look behind you now.'

The Prince turned sharply round and to his horror saw a huge Giant
approaching with mighty strides, crying fiercely--

'Who has made my lion whistle I should like to know?'

'I have,' replied Prince Vivien boldly, 'but I can answer for it that he
will not do it again!'

At these words the Giant began to howl and lament.

'Alas, my poor Tiny, my sweet little pet,' he cried, 'but at least I can
avenge thy death.'

Thereupon he rushed at the Prince, brandishing an immense serpent which
was coiled about his wrist. Vivien, without losing his coolness, aimed a
terrific blow at it with his sword, but no sooner did he touch the
snake than it changed into a Giant and the Giant into a snake, with
such rapidity that the Prince felt perfectly giddy, and this happened at
least half-a-dozen times, until at last with a fortunate stroke he cut
the serpent in halves, and picking up one morsel flung it with all his
force at the nose of the Giant, who fell insensible on top of the lion,
and in an instant a thick black cloud rolled up which hid them from
view, and when it cleared away they had all disappeared.

Then the Prince, without even waiting to sheathe his sword, rushed back
to the gazelle, crying:

'Now you have had plenty of time to recover your wits, and you have
nothing more to fear, so tell me who you are, and what this horrible
Giant, with his lion and his serpent, have to do with you and for pity's
sake be quick about it.'

'I will tell you with pleasure,' she answered, 'but where is the hurry?
I want you to come back with me to the Green Castle, but I don't want to
walk there, it is so far, and walking is so fatiguing.'

'Let us set out at once then,' replied the Prince severely, 'or else
really I shall have to leave you where you are. Surely a young and
active gazelle like you ought to be ashamed of not being able to walk a
few steps. The further off this castle is the faster we ought to walk,
but as you don't appear to enjoy that, I will promise that we will go
gently, and we can talk by the way.'

'It would be better still if you would carry me,' said she sweetly, 'but
as I don't like to see people giving themselves trouble, you may carry
me, and make that snail carry you.' So saying, she pointed languidly
with one