爱德华的奇妙旅行Chapter IV.docxVIP

ONCE THERE WAS A PRINCESSWHO was very beautiful.She shone as bright as the stars on a moonless night. Butwhat difference did it make that she was beautiful?None. Nodifference.”“Why did it make no difference?” asked Abilene.“Because,” said Pellegrina, “she was a princess who loved noone and cared nothing for love, even though there were manywho loved her.”At this point in her story, Pellegrina stopped and looked rightat Edward. She stared deep into his painted-on eyes, andagain, Edward felt a shiver go through him.“And so,” said Pellegrina, still staring at Edward.“What happened to the princess?” said Abilene.“And so,” said Pellegrina, turning back to Abilene, “the king,her father, said that the princess must marry; and soon afterthis, a prince came from a neighboring kingdom and he sawthe princess and, immediately, he loved her. He gave her aring of pure gold. He placed it on her finger. He said thesewords to her: ‘I love you.’ But do you know what the princessdid?”Abilene shook her head.“She swallowed the ring. She took it from her finger andswallowed it. She said, ‘That is what I think of love.’ And sheran from the prince. She left the castle and went deep into thewoods. And so.”“And so what?” said Abilene. “What happened then?”“And so, the princess became lost in the woods. She wanderedfor many days. Finally, she came to a little hut, and sheknocked on the door. She said, ‘Let me in; I am cold.’“There was no answer.“She knocked again. She said, ‘Let me in; I am hungry.’“A terrible voice answered her. The voice said, ‘Enter if youmust.’“The beautiful princess entered, and she saw a witch sitting ata table counting pieces of gold.“‘Three thousand six hundred and twenty-two,’ said the witch.“‘I am lost,’ said the beautiful princess.“‘What of it?’ said the witch. ‘Three thousand six hundred andtwenty-three.’“‘I am hungry,’ said the princess.“‘Not my concern,’ said the witch. ‘Three thousand six hundredand twenty-four.’“‘But I am a beautiful princess,’ said the prince