"Know then, that the Prince of whom I spoke is a most handsome
creature, and is named Taddeo, who, by the wicked spell of a fairy,
having given the last touch to the picture of life, has been placed in
a tomb outside the walls of the city; and there is an inscription
upon a stone, saying that whatever woman shall in three days fill
with tears a pitcher that hangs there upon a hook will bring the
Prince to life and shall take him for a husband. But as it is
impossible for two human eyes to weep so much as to fill a pitcher
that would hold half a barrel, I have wished you this wish in return
for your scoffing and jeering at me. And I pray that it may come to
pass, to avenge the wrong you have done me." So saying, she
scuttled down the stairs, for fear of a beating.

Zoza pondered over the words of the old woman, and after turning
over a hundred thoughts in her mind, until her head was like a mill
full of doubts, she was at last struck by a dart of the passion that
blinds the judgment and puts a spell on the reasoning of man. She
took a handful of dollars from her father's coffers and left the
palace, walking on and on, until she arrived at the castle of a fairy,
to whom she unburdened her heart. The fairy, out of pity for such a
fair young girl, who had two spurs to make her fall--little help and
much love for an unknown object--gave her a letter of
recommendation to a sister of hers, who was also a fairy. And this
second fairy received her likewise with great kindness; and on the
following morning, when Night commands the birds to proclaim
that whoever has seen a flock of black shadows gone astray shall
be well rewarded, she gave her a beautiful walnut, saying, "Take
this, my dear daughter, and keep it carefully; but never open it, but
in time of the greatest need." And then she gave her also a letter,
commending her to another sister.