And if she was cold she crept under his warm feathers , only keeping her little head out to admire all the beautiful things in the world beneath . At last they came to warm lands ; there the sun was brighter , the sky seemed twice as high , and in the hedges hung the finest green and purple grapes ; in the woods grew oranges and lemons : the air was scented with myrtle and mint , and on the roads were pretty little children running about and playing with great gorgeous butterflies . But the swallow flew on farther , and it became more and more beautiful . Under the most splendid green trees besides a blue lake stood a glittering white-marble castle . Vines hung about the high pillars ; there were many swallows ' nests , and in one of these lived the swallow who was carrying Thumbelina . ` Here is my house ! ' said he . ` But it wo n't do for you to live with me ; I am not tidy enough to please you . Find a home for yourself in one of the lovely flowers that grow down there ; now I will set you down , and you can do whatever you like . ' ` That will be splendid ! ' said she , clapping her little hands . There lay a great white marble column which had fallen to the ground and broken into three pieces , but between these grew the most beautiful white flowers . The swallow flew down with Thumbelina , and set her upon one of the broad leaves . But there , to her astonishment , she found a tiny little man sitting in the middle of the flower , as white and transparent as if he were made of glass ; he had the prettiest golden crown on his head , and the most beautiful wings on his shoulders ; he himself was no bigger than Thumbelina . He was the spirit of the flower . In each blossom there dwelt a tiny man or woman ; but this one was the King over the others . ` How handsome he is ! ' whispered Thumbelina to the swallow . The little Prince was very much frightened at the swallow , for in comparison with one so tiny as himself he seemed a giant . But when he saw Thumbelina , he was delighted , for she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen .
So he took his golden XXXXX from off his head and put it on hers , asking her her name , and if she would be his wife , and then she would be Queen of all the flowers .
astonishment crown feathers head house middle one others swallows woman