‘Certainly,' replied the fairy, ‘it would be a very good plan.'

So the prince wrote as follows:---

‘Lovely Princess,---I adore you, and beg you to accept my heart,
and to believe there is nothing I will not do to end your
misfortunes.---BLONDEL.

This note was tied round the pigeon's neck, and he flew off with
it at once. He flew fast till he got near the tower, when a
fierce wind blew so hard against him that he could not get on.
But he was not to be beaten, but flew carefully round the top of
the tower till he came to one spot which, by some mistake, had
not been enchanted like the rest. He quickly slipped into the
arbour and waited for the princess.

Before long Graziella appeared alone, and the pigeon at once
fluttered to meet her, and seemed so tame that she stopped to
caress the pretty creature. As she did so she saw it had a pink
ribbon round its neck, and tied to the ribbon was a letter. She
read it over several times and then wrote this answer :---

‘You say you love me; but I cannot promise to love you without
seeing you. Send me your portrait by this faithful messenger. If
I return it to you, you must give up hope; but if I keep it you
will know that to help me will be to help yourself.---GRAZIELA.

Before flying back the pigeon remembered about the flower, so,
seeing one in the princess's dress, he stole it and flew away.