The Princess did not at once answer. And the minds of the three played with granted wishes brilliant yet thoroughly reasonable the kind of wish that never seems to occur to people in fairy-tales when they suddenly get a chance to have their three wishes granted.
“No,” said the Princess suddenly, “no; I can’t give wishes to you, it only gives me wishes. But I’ll let you see the ring make me invisible. Only you must shut your eyes while I do it.”
They shut them.
“Count fifty,” said the Princess, “and then you may look. And then you must shut them again, and count fifty, and I’ll reappear.”
Gerald counted, aloud. Through the counting one could hear a creaking, rustling sound.
“Forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty!” said Gerald, and they opened their eyes.
They were alone in the r
