she cried , `` what can they be ? Whom am I with ? '' and she began to cry . At this instant the King of the Sheep came back to her , and was so distracted to find her in tears that he could have torn his wool . `` What is the matter , lovely Princess ? '' he cried . `` Has anyone failed to treat you with due respect ? '' `` Oh ! no , '' said Miranda ; `` only I am not used to living with sprites and with sheep that talk , and everything here frightens me . It was very kind of you to bring me to this place , but I shall be even more grateful to you if you will take me up into the world again . '' `` Do not be afraid , '' said the Wonderful Sheep ; `` I entreat you to have patience , and listen to the story of my misfortunes . I was once a king , and my kingdom was the most splendid in the world . My subjects loved me , my neighbors envied and feared me . I was respected by everyone , and it was said that no king ever deserved it more . `` I was very fond of hunting , and one day , while chasing a stag , I left my attendants far behind ; suddenly I saw the animal leap into a pool of water , and I rashly urged my horse to follow it , but before we had gone many steps I felt an extraordinary heat , instead of the coolness of the water ; the pond dried up , a great gulf opened before me , out of which flames of fire shot up , and I fell helplessly to the bottom of a precipice . `` I gave myself up for lost , but presently a voice said : ` Ungrateful Prince , even this fire is hardly enough to warm your cold heart ! ' '' ` Who complains of my coldness in this dismal place ? ' I cried . '' ` An unhappy being who loves you hopelessly , ' replied the voice , and at the same moment the flames began to flicker and cease to burn , and I saw a fairy , whom I had known as long as I could remember , and whose ugliness had always horrified me . She was leaning upon the arm of a most beautiful young girl , who wore chains of gold on her wrists and was evidently her slave . ''
` Why , Ragotte , ' I XXXXX , for that was the fairy 's name , ` what is the meaning of all this ?
cried dried entreat felt follow gave listen respected said warm