claimed the old man excitedly, “if I lose my child:-but really now,” he continued, secretly longing for the grandeur promised, “what danger is there of your fading into nothing; had you not better try life at the palace after all”? The princess said sadly, “If you wish I will try, but I know that I shall die.” “No, no,” said her father, “I will go and tell the Mikado, that you can not comply with his wishes”; and hastened to the palace.  The Mikado did not believe in the princess' fading away any more than Taketori did, but after thinking for a while told him, that he would go out with a hunting party and when near Taketori's house, at the foot of the mountain, would come in and take the princess by surprise, before she had time to refuse
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