The demon often came to beg for his ear, but the knight felt that at some time or other he might have need of him, so he would not lose his hold over him.
For a time all went well enough, but by little and little the Princess forgot her years of adversity and the debt she owed the knight: she grew more and more wilful, and before a year was out she had become so violent again, that he grew weary of his life, and declared he could no longer endure the continual turmoil. Remonstrance and coaxing were alike unheeded, and it was vain that he tried her father’s remedy, for the demon had sworn never to take her back.
In this strait Porto reminded him of the ear he held in hostage, adding, “I will take it upon myself to deliver you of her.” So putting the bottle of brine in which the ear was kept into his pocket, he swung the Princess over his shoulder, and all her struggling was useless against “the son of the strong porter.”
Thus laden he went to find out the demon. “You are to take back this princess, she is only fit for your company,” he said, when he had found him.
“Not I!” answered the demon, grinning: “I told your master when he would have her he must take her for good and all.”
“Do you know this ear?” then asked Porto, showing him the bottle.
The demon clutched at it.
“Not so fast!” cried Porto. “If you want to have it back, this is my master’s condition: you must take back the princess along with it.”
So, crest-fallen and glad to get his ear back on any condition, the demon accepted the bargain as it was dictated to him; and the princess who could not command her temper never found another knight to deliver her.