The lad picked up a splinter of the crystal and hid it in his bosom with the golden twig, the diamond twig, and the two slippers. But the Princess shook and trembled until she could hardly stand, and even the Demon was troubled.
“Why did you cast the goblet on the floor?” he asked.
“I did not,” answered the Princess, “but some one struck it from my hand”; and she began to weep.
The Demon comforted her and bade other slaves bring in the feast that had been prepared for him and the Princess.
Quickly the slaves brought it and placed it before them. The lad had never seen such a feast. All the dishes were of gold and were carved to represent scenes in demon life, and the handles were set thick with precious stones and enamelled in strange colors. There were all sorts of delicious things to eat, so that the lad’s mouth watered at the smell of them.
The Demon and the Princess sat down to eat, but it was small good the Princess got of the feast, for every time the Demon put anything on her plate the lad snatched it away and ate it, and the Princess was left hungry. The lad also took one of the golden forks and one of the golden spoons and hid them in his bosom.
“What did I tell you,” cried the Princess. “Something is wrong! Something is terribly wrong.”
“Yes, I can see that myself,” said the King Demon. “You had better go on home again, for we will get no pleasure out of this night, and that I can easily see.”
Lala was called, the Princess mounted the buckler in haste, and away the Demon flew with her. But this time the lad did not fly with them.
He waited until they were gone, and then he drew the Sword of Sharpness and smote the King Demon’s head from his shoulders.