'But the strange thing is that it is not yet known who is to be his bride.

The Prince has only lately returned to his home, for, for many years, he has been shut up by a fairy spell in a beautiful palace in the north, and now that the spell is broken and he is restored to his parents, they are anxious to see him married.

But he must still be under a spell of some kind, they say, for though he has all that heart can wish, he is ever sad and silent, and as if he were thinking of something far away.

And he has said that he will marry no princess but one who can catch three golden balls at a time, as if young princesses were brought up to be jugglers! Nevertheless, all the princesses far and wide have been practising their best at catching balls, and to-morrow the great feasts are to begin, and she who catches best is to be chosen out of all the princesses as the bride of our Prince.' "The poor Princess listened with a beating heart to the old woman's talk.

There could be no doubt as to who the Prince of this country was.
"'I have come but just in time,' she said to herself, and then she rose, and thanking her hostess for her kindness, said she must be going.
"'But where are you going, you poor child ?' said the old woman.