Русалочка

           Theprincesaidsheshouldremainwithhimalways,andshereceivedpermissiontosleepathisdoor,onavelvetcushion. Hehadapage’sdressmadeforher,thatshemightaccompanyhimonhorseback. Theyrodetogetherthroughthesweet-scentedwoods,wherethegreenboughstouchedtheirshoulders,andthelittlebirdssangamongthefreshleaves. Sheclimbedwiththeprincetothetopsofhighmountains;andalthoughhertenderfeetbledsothatevenherstepsweremarked, sheonlylaughed,andfollowedhimtilltheycouldseethecloudsbeneaththemlookinglikeaflockofbirdstravellingtodistantlands. Whileattheprince’spalace,andwhenallthehouseholdwereasleep,shewouldgoandsitonthebroadmarblesteps; foriteasedherburningfeettobathetheminthecoldsea-water;andthenshethoughtofallthosebelowinthedeep. 

           Onceduringthenighthersisterscameuparm-in-arm,singingsorrowfully,astheyfloatedonthewater. Shebeckonedtothem,andthentheyrecognizedher,andtoldherhowshehadgrievedthem. Afterthat,theycametothesameplaceeverynight;andonceshesawinthedistanceheroldgrandmother,whohadnotbeentothesurfaceoftheseaformanyyears,andtheoldSeaKing,herfather,withhiscrownonhishead. Theystretchedouttheirhandstowardsher,buttheydidnotventuresonearthelandashersistersdid.