“My beautiful viper!” said she, using the sweetest pet-name she could think of, “I will do your bidding. But first say what you will give me if I put Hildegarde out of your way.”
Then she chuckled, and rubbed her hands in great glee. Zora started back in alarm.
“I did not know you sold your charms for gold; but I would give you half my fortune if need be, any thing, to be rid of Hilda.”
The fairy chuckled again. “Just the damsel for me,” thought she.
“I will give you a diamond necklace,” said Zora: “it is worth a small kingdom, and was given me by my cousin Hilda. You can surely ask no more?”
“Diamonds!” said the goblin, snapping her fingers. “What think you I care for them? Do I not tire of stooping to pick them up? for they are given me by my cousins, the gnomes, any day. No diamonds for me! Keep them and your gold. I ask but one thing, my dear.”
Here she spoke in low hissing tones, more terrible than her loudest croakings.
“Promise me, if you do not marry Prince Reginald, you will let me change you into a charming green snake.”
“Alas!” cried Zora, turning pale, “who ever heard of such a cruel request?”
“Cruel, am I?” said the goblin in delight. “Oh, I must seem cruel to one who is so gentle and lovely as Hilda!”