The Prince put his ear to the earth and said, "Yes, they are nearly
upon us." Thereupon Hyacinthia changed herself, the Prince and the
horse, all into a dense forest in which many paths crossed, so
that the followers were bewildered; and they again returned to the
magician.
"I hear horses' feet behind us," said Hyacinthia a third time; and
this time it was the magician himself. Hyacinthia took the little
cross from the neck of the Prince, and changed herself into a church,
the Prince into a monk, and the horse into the belfry; so that when
the magician came up he lost all trace of them, and was obliged to
return to the Underworld in great chagrin.
When he had departed, the Prince and Hyacinthia mounted the horse and
rode till they came to a beautiful town.
"We must not enter," said she, "for we may not come out again."
But the Prince would not take her advice, and insisted upon passing
through the gates.
"Then," sadly replied the maiden, "when the King and Queen of the town
come out to meet you, do not kiss the little child which they will
lead by the hand, or you will forget me and never come back. As for
me, I will become a milestone and wait for you here."
It was all as Hyacinthia had said.
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