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 rose, and, gush after gush, the
waters were rising up the prince's body. They were up to his 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.