Meantime he had a tent pitched on the shore , and spent all his time gazing at the tower and looking for the princess through his spy-glass . After a few days the captain came back , bringing the fairy with him . The prince was delighted to see her , and paid her great attention . ' I have heard about this matter , ' she said ; ` and , to lose no time , I am going to send off a trusty pigeon to test the enchantment . If there is any weak spot he is sure to find it out and get in . I shall bid him bring a flower back as a sign of success , and if he does so I quite hope to get you in too . ' ` But , ' asked the prince , ` could I not send a line by the pigeon to tell the princess of my love ? ' ` Certainly , ' replied the fairy , ` it would be a very good plan . ' So the prince wrote as follows : -- ` Lovely Princess , -- I adore you , and beg you to accept my heart , and to believe there is nothing I will not do to end your misfortunes . -- Blondel . ' This note was tied round the pigeon 's neck , and he flew off with it at once . He flew fast till he got near the tower , when a fierce wind blew so hard against him that he could not get on . But he was not to be beaten , but flew carefully round the top of the tower till he came to one spot which , by some mistake , had not been enchanted like the rest . He quickly slipped into the arbour and waited for the princess . Before long Graziella appeared alone , and the pigeon at once fluttered to meet her , and seemed so tame that she stopped to caress the pretty creature . As she did so she saw it had a pink ribbon round its neck , and tied to the ribbon was a letter . She read it over several times and then wrote this answer : -- ` You say you love me ; but I can not promise to love you without seeing you . Send me your portrait by this faithful messenger . If I return it to you , you must give up hope ; but if I keep it you will know that to help me will be to help yourself . -- Graziella . '
Before flying back the pigeon remembered about the flower , so , seeing one XXXXX the princess 's dress , he stole it and flew away .
So against at by in into that till to without