The Emperor fell deeply in love with her, and begged her to come
to the Court, where he would give her a position of honor and
everything she could wish for. He was about to send for one of the
Imperial palanquins to take her back with him at once, saying that
her grace and beauty should adorn a Court, and not be hidden in a
bamboo-cutter's cottage.
But the Princess stopped him. She said that if she were forced
to go to the Palace she would turn at once into a shadow, and even
as she spoke she began to lose her form. Her figure faded from his
sight while he looked.
The Emperor then promised to leave her free if only she would
resume her former shape, which she did.
It was now time for him to return, for his retinue would be
wondering what had happened to their Royal master whe
