‘Please,’ said the Princess, ‘can I have a looking-glass?’ The apprentice ran to unhook the one that hung over the kitchen sink, and handed it to her. ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘how very pretty I am. How can I thank you?’
‘Quite easily,’ said the Magician, ‘beggar maid as you are, I hereby offer you my hand and heart.’
He put his hand into his waistcoat and [p270 pulled out his heart. It was fat and pink, and the Princess did not like the look of it.
‘Thank you very much,’ said she, ‘but I’d rather not.’
‘But I insist,’ said Taykin.
‘But really, your offer….’
‘Most handsome, I’m sure,’ said the nurse.
‘My affections are engaged,’ said the Princess, looking down. ‘I can’t marry you.’
‘Am I to take this as a refusal?’ asked Taykin; and the Princess said she feared that he was.
‘Very well, then,’ he said, ‘I shall see you home, and ask your father about it. He’ll not let you refuse an offer like this. Nurse, come and tie my necktie.’