"Again a wavelet, and another, and another, flowed over the stone, and wetted both the prince's knees thoroughly; but he did not speak or move. Two--three--four hours passed in this way, the princess apparently fast asleep, and the prince very patient. But he was much disappointed in his position, for he had none of the consolation he had hoped for. "At last he could bear it no longer. "'Princess!' said he. "But at the moment, up started the princess, crying, "'I'm afloat! I'm afloat!' "And the little boat bumped against the stone. "'Princess!' repeated the prince, encouraged by seeing her wide awake, and looking eagerly at the water. "'Well?' said she, without once looking round. "'Your papa promised that you should look at me; and you haven't looked at me once.' "'Did he? Then I suppose I must. But I am so sleepy!' "'Sleep then, darling, and don't mind me,' said the poor prince. "'Really, you are very good,' replied the princess. 'I think I will go to sleep again.' "'Just give me a glass of wine and a biscuit, first,' said the prince very humbly. "'With all my heart,' said the princess, and gaped as she said it. "She got the wine and the biscuit, however; and, coming nearer with them, "'Why, prince,' she said, 'you don't look well! Are you sure you don't mind it?' "'Not a bit,' answered he, feeling very faint indeed. 'Only, I shall die before it is of any use to you, unless I have something to eat.' "'There, then!' said she, holding out the wine to him. "'Ah! you must feed me. I dare not move my hands. The water would run away directly.' "'Good gracious!' said the princess; and she began at once to feed him with bits of biscuit, and sips of wine. "As she fed him, he contrived to kiss the tips of her fingers now and then. She did not seem to mind it, one way or the other. But the prince felt better. "'Now, for your own sake, princess,' said he, 'I cannot let you go to sleep. You must sit and look at me, else I shall not be able to keep up.' "'Well, I will do anything I can to oblige you,' answered she, with condescension; and, sitting down, she did look at him, and kept looking at him with wonderful steadiness, considering all things. "The sun went down, and the moon came up; and, gush after gush, the waters were flowing over the rock. They were up to the prince's waist now. "'Why can't we go and have a swim?' said the princess. 'There seems to be water enough just about here.' "'I shall never swim more,' said the prince. "'Oh! I forgot,' said the princess, and was silent. "So the water grew and grew, and rose up and up on the prince. And the princess sat and looked at him. She fed him now and then. The night wore on. The waters rose and rose. The moon rose likewise, higher and higher, and shone full on the face of the dying prince. The water was up to his neck. "'Will you kiss me, princess?' said he feebly at last; for the fun was all out of him now.