“Fie!” exclaimed the Princess, “he squints and has bandy legs, besides being the most malicious person in the world.”
“Nevertheless, I command you to obey me and to marry him!” shrieked the Princess’s aunt.
“I will not,” said Moonflower, “I would rather die.”
“And die thou shalt, little viper!” bawled the old woman, “for I will cut you in little pieces if you do not marry him this day month!” And she left the room in a rage, banging the door behind her.
When she had gone, the Princess began to weep bitterly and wring her hands. “Alas! my good Grimaçon,” she said to the dwarf, “what shall I do? Was there ever a being so unfortunate as I? Either I must perish or wed the odious Blackwig, and I know not which of these two horrors to choose.”
“You must fly, your Royal Highness,” answered the dwarf, who was a sensible little fellow, “before the day which the Queen Regent has named.”
“But alas!” said Moonflower, “whither shall I go?”