“Mew,” said the cat, as he sprang softly into the room; but the prince did not heed him. “Mew,” again said the cat; but again the prince did not heed him. “Mew,” said the cat the third time, and he jumped up on the prince’s knee.
“Where do you come from, and what do you want?” asked the prince.
“I come from where you would like to be,” said the cat.
“And where is that?” said the prince.
“Oh, where is that, indeed! as if I didn’t know what you are thinking of, and of whom you are thinking,” said the cat; “and it would be far better for you to try and save her.”
“I would give my life a thousand times over for her,” said the prince.
“For whom?” said the cat, with a wink. “I named no name, your highness,” said he.
“You know very well who she is,” said the prince, “if you knew what I was thinking of; but do you know where she is?”
“She is in danger,” said the cat. “She is in the castle of the giant Trencoss, in the valley beyond the mountains.” 48
“I will set out there at once,” said the prince “and I will challenge the giant to battle, and will slay him.”