Below in the castle it was just the same. The King and Queen, who had
that moment returned from their journey and were enquiring for their
daughter, fell asleep before the lady-in-waiting could answer them,
and as to the lady herself she had begun to snore--in a ladylike
manner, of course--before you could have winked your eye.
The soldiers and men-at-arms slumbered as they stood. The page-boy
fell asleep writh his mouth wide open, and a fly that had just been
going to settle on his nose fell asleep too in mid-air.
Although the sun had been shining brightly when the Princess took the
spindle in her hand, no sooner did she prick herself with the point
than deep shadows darkened the sunny rooms and gardens.
It was just as though night had overtaken them, but there was no one
in or near the palace to heed whether it were dark or light.
This sudden darkness had been caused by a magic wood which had sprung
up all around the palace and its grounds. It was at least half a mile
thick, and was composed of thorns and prickly plants, through which
it seemed impossible for anyone to penetrate. It was so thick and high
that it hid even the topmost towers of the enchanted castle, and no
one outside could have dreamed that such a castle lay behind it.
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