The top of the tower was laid out like a garden , with beds of the loveliest flowers , fine fruit trees , and shady arbours and shrubs , where many birds sang amongst the branches . The fairies escorted Graziella and her governess , Bonnetta , to the tower , and then mounted a dolphin which was waiting for them . At a little distance from the tower the queen waved her wand and summoned two thousand great fierce sharks , whom she ordered to keep close guard , and not to let a soul enter the tower . The good governess took such pains with Graziella 's education that when she was nearly grown up she was not only most accomplished , but a very sweet , good girl . One day , as the princess was standing on a balcony , she saw the most extraordinary figure rise out of the sea . She quickly called Bonnetta to ask her what it could be . It looked like some kind of man , with a bluish face and long sea-green hair . He was swimming towards the tower , but the sharks took no notice of him . ` It must be a merman , ' said Bonnetta . ' A man , do you say ? ' cried Graziella ; ` let us hurry down to the door and see him nearer . ' When they stood in the doorway the merman stopped to look at the princess and made many signs of admiration . His voice was very hoarse and husky , but when he found that he was not understood he took to signs . He carried a little basket made of osiers and filled with rare shells , which he presented to the princess . She took it with signs of thanks ; but as it was getting dusk she retired , and the merman plunged back into the sea . When they were alone , Graziella said to her governess : ` What a dreadful-looking creature that was ! Why do those odious sharks let him come near the tower ? I suppose all men are not like him ? ' ` No , indeed , ' replied Bonnetta . ' I suppose the sharks look on him as a sort of relation , and so did not attack him . '
A few days later the two ladies heard a strange sort XXXXX music , and looking out of the window , there was the merman , his head crowned with water plants , and blowing a great sea-shell with all his might .
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