"You have been a true friend to the little white lamb. She has found
her tongue again, and can say so. Kind old lion, gentle prisoner,
Hildegarde will not forget you."
The noble beast looked at the disenchanted princess, and the next
instant was changed to his true form; and, in place of a tawny lion,
it was the brave Prince Reginald. Hilda blushed with joyful surprise,
and would have taken down the key to unlock the cage, but the prince
said,--
"Loveliest Hildegarde, will you be my bride? Speak before you unlock
the cage; for, if you say nay, Reginald must again become a dumb
beast, and, as he has been for a year, so will he be for the rest of
his days."
Hildegarde cast down her eyes, and answered, "If so be the lion and
the lamb could live side by side for a year, may not Reginald and
Hilda dwell together in peace?"
"Then," said the joyful Prince Reginald, "I pray thee unlock the
cage."
Now, as they walked together in the park, the prince told Hildegarde
that he had loved her for a twelvemonth and a day.
He described Zora's visit to the cruel goblin. He said that he himself
had overheard the two talking together, had ground his teeth, and
sighed. Then the gnomes, seeing his grief, had come asking him if he
would be changed for a year, and maybe for life, into a lion; and for
Hildegarde's sake he had gladly consented.