sea, built of shells of all shapes and colours. The lower floor
was like a great bathroom, where the water was let in or off at
will. The first floor contained the princess's apartments,
beautifully furnished. On the second was a library, a large
wardrobe-room filled with beautiful clothes and every kind of
linen, a music-room, a pantry with bins full of the best wines,
and a store-room with all manner of preserves, bonbons, pastry
and cakes, all of which remained as fresh as if just out of the
oven.

The top of the tower was laid out like a garden, with beds of the
loveliest flowers, fine fruit trees, and shady arbours and
shrubs, where many birds sang amongst the branches.

The fairies escorted Graziella and her governess, Bonnetta, to
the tower, and then mounted a dolphin which was waiting for them.
At a little distance from the tower the queen waved her wand and
summoned two thousand great fierce sharks, whom she ordered to
keep close guard, and not to let a soul enter the tower

The good governess took such pains with Graziella's education
that when she was nearly grown up she was not only most
accomplished, but a very sweet, good girl.

One day, as the princess was standing on a balcony, she saw the
most extraordinary figure rise out of the sea. She quickly called
Bonnetta to ask her what it could be. It looked like some kind of
man, with a bluish face and long sea-green hair. He was swimming
towards the tower, but the sharks took no notice of him.