Русалочка

           Asthedayspassed,shelovedtheprincemorefondly,andhelovedherashewouldlovealittlechild, butitnevercameintohisheadtomakeherhiswife;yet,unlesshemarriedher,shecouldnotreceiveanimmortalsoul; and,onthemorningafterhismarriagewithanother,shewoulddissolveintothefoamofthesea. 

           "Doyounotlovemethebestofthemall?"theeyesofthelittlemermaidseemedtosay,whenhetookherinhisarms,andkissedherfairforehead. 

           "Yes,youaredeartome,"saidtheprince; "foryouhavethebestheart,andyouarethemostdevotedtome;youarelikeayoungmaidenwhomIoncesaw,butwhomIshallnevermeetagain. Iwasinashipthatwaswrecked,andthewavescastmeashorenearaholytemple,whereseveralyoungmaidensperformedtheservice. Theyoungestofthemfoundmeontheshore,andsavedmylife. Isawherbuttwice,andsheistheonlyoneintheworldwhomIcouldlove; butyouarelikeher,andyouhavealmostdrivenherimageoutofmymind. Shebelongstotheholytemple,andmygoodfortunehassentyoutomeinsteadofher; andwewillneverpart." 

           "Ah,heknowsnotthatitwasIwhosavedhislife,"thoughtthelittlemermaid. "Icarriedhimovertheseatothewoodwherethetemplestands:Isatbeneaththefoam,andwatchedtillthehumanbeingscametohelphim. Isawtheprettymaidenthathelovesbetterthanhelovesme;"andthemermaidsigheddeeply,butshecouldnotshedtears.