Next day the fairy came with the mermaid, and the princess
received her with delight. After a little talk she begged
Graziella to show her the inside of the tower and let her see the
garden on the top, for with the help of crutches she could manage
to move about, and being a fairy could live out of water for a
long time, provided she wetted her forehead now and then.

Graziella gladly consented, and Bonnetta stayed below with the
mermaid.

When they were in the garden the fairy said: ‘Let us lose no
time, but tell me how I can be of use to you.' Graziella then
told all her story and Marina replied: ‘My dear princess, I can
do nothing for you as regards dry land, for my power does not
reach beyond my own element. I can only say that if you will
honour my cousin by accepting his hand, you could then come and
live amongst us. I could teach you in a moment to swim and dive
with the best of us. I can harden your skin without spoiling its
colour. My cousin is one of the best matches in the sea, and I
will bestow so many gifts on him that you will be quite happy.'

The fairy talked so well and so long that the princess was rather
impressed, and promised to think the matter over.

Just as they were going to leave the garden they saw a ship
sailing nearer the tower than any other had done before. On the
deck lay a young man under a splendid awning, gazing at the tower
through a spy-glass; but before they could see anything clearly
the ship moved away, and the two ladies parted, the fairy
promising to return shortly.