The wonderful Sheep (23)

The wonderful Sheep (23)

" The young slave of whom I told you is one of these ; I have seen her often, and it has been a great pleasure to me. She never speaks to me, and if I went nearer to her I know I should find her only a shadow, which would be very annoying.
However, I noticed that one of my companions in misfortune was also very attentive to this little sprite, and I found out that he had been her lover, whom the cruel Ragotte had taken away from her long before ; since then I have cared for, and thought of, nothng but how I might regain my freedom.
I have often been into the forest ; that is where I have seen you, lovely Princess, sometimes driving your chariot, which you did with all the grace and skill in the world ; sometimes riding to the chase on so spirited a horse that it seemed as if no one but yourself could have managed it, and sometimes running races on the plain with the Princesses of your Court ー running so lightly that it was you always who won the prize.
Oh ! Princess, I have loved you so long, and yet how dare I tell you of my love ! what hope can there be for an unhappy sheep like myself ? "

Miranda was so surprised and confused by all  that she had heard that she hardly knew what answer to give to the King of the Sheep, but she managed to make some kind of little speech, which certainly did not forbid him to hope, and said that she should not afraid of the shadows now she knew that they would some day come to life again.

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