They
went on and came to a great lake whereon stood twelve little boats,
and in every boat sat a handsome prince, all of whom were waiting for
the twelve, and each took one of them with him, but the soldier seated
himself by the youngest. Then her prince said, "I can't tell why the boat
is so much heavier to-day; I shall have to row with all my strength,
if I am to get it across." "What should cause that," said the youngest,
"but the warm weather? I feel very warm too." On the opposite side of
the lake stood a splendid, brightly-lit castle, from whence resounded
the joyous music of trumpets and kettle-drums. They rowed over there,
entered, and each prince danced with the girl he loved, but the soldier
danced with them unseen, and when one of them had a cup of wine in her
hand he drank it up, so that the cup was empty when she carried it to her
mouth; the youngest was alarmed at this, but the eldest always made her
be silent. They danced there till three o'clock in the morning when all
the shoes were danced into holes, and they were forced to leave off;
the princes rowed them back again over the lake, and this time the
soldier seated himself by the eldest.
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