Her face was that of a woman of three-and-twenty.
The princess was so bewildered with astonishment and admiration that she could hardly thank her, and drew nigh with timidity, feeling dirty and uncomfortable.

The lady was seated on a low chair by the side of the fire, with hands outstretched to take her, but the princess hung back with a troubled smile.
'Why, what's the matter ?' asked her grandmother.

'You haven't been doing anything wrong--I know that by your face, though it is rather miserable.

What's the matter, my dear ?' And she still held out her arms.
'Dear grandmother,' said Irene, 'I'm not so sure that I haven't done something wrong.

I ought to have run up to you at once when the long-legged cat came in at the window, instead of running out on the mountain and making myself such a fright.' 'You were taken by surprise, my child, and you are not so likely to do it again.