The Enchanted Horse - 4

In common politeness the prince could hardly refuse this request, and the princess set about inventing every kind of amusement for him, and succeeded so well that two months slipped by almost unnoticed, in balls, spectacles and in hunting, of which, when unattended by danger, the princess was passionately ² fond. But at last, one day, he declared seriously that he could neglect his duty no longer, and entreated ³ her to put no further obstacles in his way, promising ⁴ at the same time to return, as soon as he could, with all the magnificence due both to her and to himself. , ,"Princess," he added, "it may be that in your heart you class me with those false lovers whose devotion cannot stand the test of absence. If you do, you wrong me; and were it not for fear of offending you, I would beseech⁵（恳求） you to come with me, for my life can only be happy when passed with you. As for your reception at the Persian Court, it will be as warm as your merits deserve; and as for what concerns the King of Bengal, he must be much more indifferent to your welfare than you have led me to believe if he does not give his consent to our marriage." , ,The princess could not find words in which to reply to the arguments of the Prince of Persia, but her silence and her downcast eyes spoke ⁶ for her, and declared that she had no objection to accompanying him on his travels. , , ,This was done, and early the following morning, when the whole palace was wrapped in sleep, she stole up on to the roof, where the prince was already awaiting her, with his horse's head towards Persia. He mounted first and helped the princess up behind; then, when she was firmly seated, with her hands holding tightly to his belt, he touched the screw, and the horse began to leave the earth quickly behind him. , ,He travelled with his accustomed speed, and Prince Firouz Schah guided him so well that in two hours and a half from the time of starting, he saw the capital of Persia lying beneath him. He determined ¹⁰ to alight neither in the great square from which he had started, nor in the Sultan's palace, but in a country house at a little distance from the town. Here he showed the princess a beautiful suite ¹¹ of rooms, and begged her to rest, while he informed his father of their arrival, and prepared a public reception worthy ¹² of her rank. Then he ordered a horse to be saddled, and set out. , ,He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心 。,She could hate as passionately as she could love. 她能恨得咬牙切齿 ，也能爱得一往情深
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