“I will see him here,” said the princess.
So the prince came riding through the park with his knights all jingling behind him, each of them bearing a golden casket containing a present for the princess.
When the prince reached the foot of the little hill on which the Rondel stood and saw the princess under the trees, he dismounted from his horse and came on foot to where she sat.
The knights waited at the bottom of the hill.
The princess received him graciously, and he stood before her in the shadow of the ash-trees and asked if she would marry him.
“I have a great kingdom,” said he, “great riches and great power, and my enemies all fear me.”
“I am much honoured,” said the princess, “but I should like to ask you one question. What do you most desire in a wife?”
“Obedience,” said the prince without an instant’s hesitation, for he was obliged to speak the truth.
The princess smiled a little.
“And what would you do if your wife disobeyed you?” she asked.