The prince said she should remain with him always, and she
received permission to sleep at his door, on a velvet cushion. He
had a page's dress made for her, that she might accompany him on
horseback. They rode together through the sweet-scented woods,
where the green boughs touched their shoulders, and the little
birds sang among the fresh leaves. She climbed with the prince to
the tops of high mountains; and although her tender feet bled so
that even her steps were marked, she only laughed, and followed him
till they could see the clouds beneath them looking like a flock of
birds travelling to distant lands. While at the prince's palace,
and when all the household were asleep, she would go and sit on the
broad marble steps; for it eased her burning feet to bathe them in
the c
