Now the King's son happening to pass by, as he was going to hunt,
took a prodigious fancy to this beautiful plant, and sent to ask the
mistress of the house if she would sell it, for he would give even
one of his eyes for it. The woman at last, after a thousand
difficulties and refusals, allured by his offers, dazzled by his
promises, frightened by his threats, overcome by his prayers, gave
him the pot, beseeching him to hold it dear, for she loved it more
than a daughter, and valued it as much as if it were her own
offspring. Then the Prince had the flower-pot carried with the
greatest care in the world into his own chamber, and placed it in a
balcony, and tended and watered it with his own hand.

It happened one evening, when the Prince had gone to bed, and put
out the candles, and all were at rest and in their first sleep, that he
heard the sound of some one stealing through the house, and
coming cautiously towards his bed; whereat he thought it must be
some chamber-boy coming to lighten his purse for him, or some
mischievous imp to pull the bed-clothes off him. But as he was a
bold fellow, whom none could frighten, he acted the dead cat,
waiting to see the upshot of the affair. When he perceived the
object approach nearer, and stretching out his hand felt something
smooth, and instead of laying hold, as he expected, on the prickles
of a hedgehog, he touched a little creature more soft and fine than
Barbary wool, more pliant and tender than a marten's tail, more
delicate than thistle-down, he flew from one thought to another,
and taking her to be a fairy (as indeed she was), he conceived at
once a great affection for her. The next morning, before the Sun,
like a chief physician, went out to visit the flowers that are sick
and languid, the unknown fair one rose and disappeared, leaving
the Prince filled with curiosity and wonder.