The Prince looked very astonished.
‘Who or what are you?’ he asked.
‘Never you mind. I’ve a good mind not to let you succeed this evening, because you deceive not only your old mother who is asleep at home, but you have also told a fib to that innocent girl, of whom I’m very fond.’ (‘That’s quite true,’ thought the Princess. ‘I’m very fond of myself.’ And so she was.)
The Prince looked astonished.
‘How on earth could you know that?’ he said.
‘I heard it, I tell you.’
‘But there was no one in the room except the Princess and myself.’
‘All the same, I heard every word you said, and, what’s more, I shall hear every word you ever say to her,’ answered the Princess.
‘Well, then, you’ll be a great nuisance,’ said the Prince angrily.
‘Very well, I’ll tell the Princess all that you say, and I’ve a good mind not to let you succeed, as I’ve said before.’