But there he was , a young man , tanned and dusty with travel , in the uniform of an officer of the king 's guard . One of the few faults of this lovely princess was a devouring curiosity , and she lived such an idle life that she had plenty of time to be curious . Out of one of the folds of this young man 's turban there peeped the corner of a letter ! She wondered what the letter was -- whom it was for ! She drew her veil a little closer , and stole across on tip-toe and caught hold of the corner of the letter . Then she pulled it a little , and just a little more ! A great big seal came into view , which she saw to be her father 's , and at the sight of it she paused for a minute half ashamed of what she was doing . But the pleasure of taking a letter which was not meant for her was more than she could resist , and in another moment it was in her hand . All at once she remembered that it would be death to this poor officer if he lost the letter , and that at all hazards she must put it back again . But this was not so easy ; and , moreover , the letter in her hand burnt her with longing to read it , and see what was inside . She examined the seal . It was sticky with being exposed to the hot sun , and with a very little effort it parted from the paper . The letter was open and she read it ! And this was what was written : ` Behead the messenger who brings this letter secretly and at once . Ask no questions . ' The girl grew pale . What a shame ! she thought . SHE would not let a handsome young fellow like that be beheaded ; but how to prevent it was not quite clear at the moment . Some plan must be invented , and she wished to lock herself in where no one could interrupt her , as might easily happen in the garden .
So she crept softly to her room , and took a piece of paper and wrote upon it : ` Marry the messenger who XXXXX this letter to the princess openly at once .
brings devouring doing grew lived meant prevent pulled read remembered