"Marry you? why, with all my heart! to-morrow if you like."
"But I make one condition," said the Duchess; "I must have entire control of your daughter to do as I please with her."
"Oh, certainly, you shall have your own way; let us shake hands upon the bargain," said the King.
So they shook hands and went up out of the cellar of treasure together, and the Duchess locked the door and gave the key to the King.
When he returned to his own palace Graciosa ran out to meet him, and asked if he had had good sport.
"I have caught a dove," answered he.
"Oh! do give it to me," said the Princess, "and I will keep it and take care of it."
"I can hardly do that," said he, "for, to speak more plainly, I mean that I met the Duchess Grumbly, and have promised to marry her."
"And you call her a dove?" cried the Princess. "I should have called her a screech owl."
"Hold your tongue," said the King very crossly. "I intend you to behave prettily to her. So now go and make yourself fit to be seen, as I am going to take you to visit her."