This new arrival induced the ladies to go down to the door . They were surprised to find that , after trying various languages , she at last spoke to them in their own , and paid Graziella a very pretty compliment on her beauty . The mermaid noticed that the lower floor was full of water . ` Why , ' cried she , ` that is just the place for us , for we ca n't live quite out of water . ' So saying , she and her brother swam in and took up a position in the bathroom , the princess and her governess seating themselves on the steps which ran round the room . -LSB- Illustration : The Sea-People visit Graziella -RSB- ` No doubt , madam , ' said the mermaid , ` you have given up living on land so as to escape from crowds of lovers ; but I fear that even here you can not avoid them , for my brother is already dying of love for you , and I am sure that once you are seen in our city he will have many rivals . ' She then went on to explain how grieved her brother was not to be able to make himself understood , adding : ' I interpret for him , having been taught several languages by a fairy . ' ` Oh , then , you have fairies , too ? ' asked Graziella , with a sigh . ` Yes , we have , ' replied the mermaid ; ` but if I am not mistaken you have suffered from the fairies on earth . ' The princess , on this , told her entire history to the mermaid , who assured her how sorry she felt for her , but begged her not to lose courage ; adding , as she took her leave : ` Perhaps , some day , you may find a way out of your difficulties . ' The princess was delighted with this visit and with the hopes the mermaid held out . It was something to meet some one fresh to talk to . ` We will make acquaintance with several of these people , ' she said to her governess , ` and I dare say they are not all as hideous as the first one we saw . Anyhow , we sha n't be so dreadfully lonely . ' ` Dear me , ' said Bonnetta , ` how hopeful young people are to be sure ! As for me I feel afraid of these folk . But what do you think of the lover you have captivated ? ' ` Oh , I could never love him , ' cried the princess ; ' I ca n't bear him . But , perhaps , as his sister says they are related to the fairy Marina , they may be of some use to us . '
The mermaid often returned , and each time she talked of her brother 's love , and each time Graziella talked XXXXX her longing to escape from her prison , till at length the mermaid promised to bring the fairy Marina to see her , in hopes she might suggest something .
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