Whentheyhaddividedthebuffalo\'sflesh,andeachwomanhadthefamilyportioninherbasket,thestrangerwifegotupandsaid:
\'Letmehavethehead。\'
\'Youcouldnevercarryanythingsoheavy,\'answeredthemen,\'andnowyouareillbesides。\'
\'YoudonotknowhowstrongIam,\'answeredshe。Andatlasttheygaveither。
Shedidnotwalktothevillagewiththeothers,butlingeredbehind,and,insteadofenteringherhut,sheslippedintothelittleshedwherethepotsforcookingandstoringmaizewerekept。Thenshelaiddownthebuffalo\'sheadandsatbesideit。Herhusbandcametoseekher,andbeggedhertoleavetheshedandgotobed,asshemustbetiredout;butthegirlwouldnotstir,neitherwouldsheattendtothewordsofhermother—in—law。
\'Iwishyouwouldleavemealone！\'sheansweredcrossly。\'Itisimpossibletosleepifsomebodyisalwayscomingin。\'Andsheturnedherbackonthem,andwouldnoteveneatthefoodtheyhadbrought。Sotheywentaway,andtheyoungmansoonstretchedhimselfoutonhismat;buthiswife\'soddconductmadehimanxious,andhelaywakeallnight,listening。
Whenallwasstillthegirlmadeafireandboiledsomewaterinapot。
Assoonasitwasquitehotsheshookinthemedicinethatshehadbroughtfromhome,andthen,takingthebuffalo\'shead,shemadeincisionswithherlittleknifebehindtheear,andclosetothetemplewheretheshothadstruckhim。Nextsheappliedthehorntothespotandblewwithallherforcetill,atlength,thebloodbegantomove。
Afterthatshespreadsomeofthedeerfatoutofthecalabashoverthewound,whichsheheldinthesteamofthehotwater。Lastofall,shesanginalowvoiceadirgeovertheRoverofthePlain。
Asshechantedthefinalwordstheheadmoved,andthelimbscameback。
Thebuffalobegantofeelaliveagainandshookhishorns,andstoodupandstretchedhimself。Unluckilyitwasjustatthismomentthatthehusbandsaidtohimself:
\'Iwonderifsheiscryingstill,andwhatisthematterwithher！
PerhapsIhadbettergoandsee。\'Andhegotupand,callingherbyname,wentouttotheshed。
\'Goaway！Idon\'twantyou！\'shecriedangrily。Butitwastoolate。
Thebuffalohadfallentotheground,dead,andwiththewoundinhisheadasbefore。
Theyoungmanwho,unlikemostofhistribe,wasafraidofhiswife,returnedtohisbedwithouthavingseenanything,butwonderingverymuchwhatshecouldbedoingallthistime。Afterwaitingafewminutes,shebeganhertaskoveragain,andattheendthebuffalostoodonhisfeetasbefore。Butjustasthegirlwasrejoicingthatherworkwascompleted,incamethehusbandoncemoretoseewhathiswifewasdoing;andthistimehesathimselfdowninthehut,andsaidthathewishedtowatchwhateverwasgoingon。Thenthegirltookupthepitcherandallherotherthingsandlefttheshed,tryingforthethirdtimetobringthebuffalobacktolife。
Shewastoolate;thedawnwasalreadybreaking,andtheheadfelltotheground,deadandcorruptasitwasbefore。
Thegirlenteredthehut,whereherhusbandandhismotherweregettingreadytogoout。
\'Iwanttogodowntothelake,andbathe,\'saidshe。
\'Butyoucouldneverwalksofar,\'answeredthey。\'Youaresotired,asitis,thatyoucanhardlystand！\'
However,inspiteoftheirwarnings,thegirlleftthehutinthedirectionofthelake。Verysoonshecamebackweeping,andsobbedout:
\'Imetsomeoneinthevillagewholivesinmycountry,andhetoldmethatmymotherisvery,veryill,andifIdonotgotoheratonceshewillbedeadbeforeIarrive。IwillreturnassoonasIcan,andnowfarewell。\'Andshesetforthinthedirectionofthemountains。Butthisstorywasnottrue;sheknewnothingabouthermother,onlyshewantedanexcusetogohomeandtellherfamilythattheirprophecieshadcometrue,andthatthebuffalowasdead。
Balancingherbasketonherhead,shewalkedalong,anddirectlyshehadleftthevillagebehindhershebrokeoutintothesongoftheRoverofthePlain,andatlast,attheendoftheday,shecametothegroupofhutswhereherparentslived。Herfriendsallrantomeether,and,weeping,shetoldthemthatthebuffalowasdead。
Thissadnewsspreadlikelightningthroughthecountry,andthepeopleflockedfromfarandneartobewailthelossofthebeastwhohadbeentheirpride。
\'Ifyouhadonlylistenedtous,\'theycried,\'hewouldbealivenow。
Butyourefusedallthelittlegirlsweofferedyou,andwouldhavenothingbutthebuffalo。Andrememberwhatthemedicine—mansaid:\"Ifthebuffalodiesyoudiealso！\"\'
Sotheybewailedtheirfate,onetotheother,andforawhiletheydidnotperceivethatthegirl\'shusbandwassittingintheirmidst,leaninghisgunagainstatree。Thenoneman,turning,beheldhim,andbowedmockingly。
\'Hail,murderer！hail！youhaveslainusall！\'
Theyoungmanstared,notknowingwhathemeant,andanswered,wonderingly:
\'Ishotabuffalo;isthatwhyyoucallmeamurderer？\'
\'Abuffalo——yes;buttheservantofyourwife！Itwashewhocarriedthewoodanddrewthewater。Didyounotknowit？\'
\'No;Ididnotknowit,\'repliedthehusbandinsurprise。\'Whydidnoonetellme？OfcourseIshouldnothaveshothim！\'
\'Well,heisdead,\'answeredthey,\'andwemustdietoo。\'
Atthisthegirltookacupinwhichsomepoisonousherbshadbeencrushed,andholdingitinherhands,shewailed:\'Omyfather,RoverofthePlain！\'Thendrinkingadeepdraughtfromit,fellbackdead。
Onebyoneherparents,herbrothersandhersisters,drankalsoanddied,singingadirgetothememoryofthebuffalo。
Thegirl\'shusbandlookedonwithhorror;andreturnedsadlyhomeacrossthemountains,and,enteringhishut,threwhimselfontheground。Atfirsthewastootiredtospeak;butatlengthheraisedhisheadandtoldallthestorytohisfatherandmother,whosatwatchinghim。Whenhehadfinishedtheyshooktheirheadsandsaid:
\'Nowyouseethatwespokenoidlewordswhenwetoldyouthatillwouldcomeofyourmarriage！Weofferedyouagoodandhard—workingwife,andyouwouldhavenoneofher。Anditisnotonlyyourwifeyouhavelost,butyourfortunealso。Forwhowillgiveyoubackyourmoneyiftheyarealldead？\'
\'Itistrue,Omyfather,\'answeredtheyoungman。Butinhishearthethoughtmoreofthelossofhiswifethanofthemoneyhehadgivenforher。
[FromL\'EtudeEthnographiquesurlesBaronga,parHenriJunod。]
TheWhiteDoeOnceuponatimetherelivedakingandqueenwholovedeachotherdearly,andwouldhavebeenperfectlyhappyiftheyhadonlyhadalittlesonordaughtertoplaywith。Theynevertalkedaboutit,andalwayspretendedthattherewasnothingintheworldtowishfor;but,sometimeswhentheylookedatotherpeople\'schildren,theirfacesgrewsad,andtheircourtiersandattendantsknewthereasonwhy。
Onedaythequeenwassittingalonebythesideofawaterfallwhichsprungfromsomerocksinthelargeparkadjoiningthecastle。Shewasfeelingmorethanusuallymiserable,andhadsentawayherladiessothatnoonemightwitnesshergrief。Suddenlysheheardarustlingmovementinthepoolbelowthewaterfall,and,onglancingup,shesawalargecrabclimbingontoastonebesideher。
\'Greatqueen,\'saidthecrab,\'Iamheretotellyouthatthedesireofyourheartwillsoonbegranted。Butfirstyoumustpermitmetoleadyoutothepalaceofthefairies,which,thoughhardby,hasneverbeenseenbymortaleyesbecauseofthethickcloudsthatsurroundit。Whenthereyouwillknowmore;thatis,ifyouwilltrustyourselftome。\'
Thequeenhadneverbeforeheardananimalspeak,andwasstruckdumbwithsurprise。However,shewassoenchantedatthewordsofthecrabthatshesmiledsweetlyandheldoutherhand;itwastaken,notbythecrab,whichhadstoodthereonlyamomentbefore,butbyalittleoldwomansmartlydressedinwhiteandcrimsonwithgreenribbonsinhergreyhair。And,wonderfultosay,notadropofwaterfellfromherclothes。
Theoldwomanranlightlydownapathalongwhichthequeenhadbeenahundredtimesbefore,butitseemedsodifferentshecouldhardlybelieveitwasthesame。Insteadofhavingtopushherwaythroughnettlesandbrambles,rosesandjasminehungaboutherhead,whileunderherfeetthegroundwassweetwithviolets。Theorangetreesweresotallandthickthat,evenatmid—day,thesunwasnevertoohot,andattheendofthepathwasaglimmerofsomethingsodazzlingthatthequeenhadtoshadehereyes,andpeepatitonlybetweenherfingers。
\'Whatcanitbe？\'sheasked,turningtoherguide;whoanswered:
\'Oh,thatisthefairies\'palace,andherearesomeofthemcomingtomeetus。\'
Asshespokethegatesswungbackandsixfairiesapproached,eachbearinginherhandaflowermadeofpreciousstones,butsolikearealonethatitwasonlybytouchingyoucouldtellthedifference。
\'Madam,\'theysaid,\'weknownothowtothankyouforthismarkofyourconfidence,buthavethehappinesstotellyouthatinashorttimeyouwillhavealittledaughter。\'
Thequeenwassoenchantedatthisnewsthatshenearlyfaintedwithjoy;butwhenshewasabletospeak,shepouredoutallhergratitudetothefairiesfortheirpromisedgift。
\'Andnow,\'shesaid,\'Ioughtnottostayanylonger,formyhusbandwillthinkthatIhaverunaway,orthatsomeevilbeasthasdevouredme。\'
Inalittlewhileithappenedjustasthefairieshadforetold,andababygirlwasborninthepalace。Ofcourseboththekingandqueenweredelighted,andthechildwascalledDesiree,whichmeans\'desired,\'forshehadbeen\'desired\'forfiveyearsbeforeherbirth。
Atfirstthequeencouldthinkofnothingbuthernewplaything,butthensherememberedthefairieswhohadsentittoher。Biddingherladiesbringhertheposyofjewelledflowerswhichhadbeengivenheratthepalace,shetookeachflowerinherhandandcalleditbyname,and,inturn,eachfairyappearedbeforeher。But,asunluckilyoftenhappens,theonetowhomsheowedthemost,thecrab—fairy,wasforgotten,andbythis,asinthecaseofotherbabiesyouhavereadabout,muchmischiefwaswrought。
However,forthemomentallwasgaietyinthepalace,andeverybodyinsiderantothewindowstowatchthefairies\'carriages,fornotwowerealike。Onehadacarofebony,drawnbywhitepigeons,anotherwaslyingbackinherivorychariot,drivingtenblackcrows,whiletheresthadchosenrarewoodsormany—colouredsea—shells,withscarletandbluemacaws,long—tailedpeacocks,orgreenlove—birdsforhorses。
Thesecarriageswereonlyusedonoccasionsofstate,forwhentheywenttowarflyingdragons,fieryserpents,lionsorleopards,tooktheplaceofthebeautifulbirds。
Thefairiesenteredthequeen\'schamberfollowedbylittledwarfswhocarriedtheirpresentsandlookedmuchprouderthantheirmistresses。
Onebyonetheirburdenswerespreadupontheground,andnoonehadeverseensuchlovelythings。Everythingthatababycouldpossiblywearorplaywithwasthere,andbesides,theyhadotherandmorepreciousgiftstogiveher,whichonlychildrenwhohavefairiesforgodmotherscaneverhopetopossess。
Theywereallgatheredroundtheheapofpinkcushionsonwhichthebabylayasleep,whenashadowseemedtofallbetweenthemandthesun,whileacoldwindblewthroughtheroom。Everybodylookedup,andtherewasthecrab—fairy,whohadgrownastallastheceilinginheranger。
\'SoIamforgotten！\'criedshe,inavoicesoloudthatthequeentrembledassheheardit。\'Whowasitsoothedyouinyourtrouble？
Whowasitledyoutothefairies？Whowasitbroughtyoubackinsafetytoyourhomeagain？YetI——I——amoverlooked,whilethesewhohavedonenothingincomparison,arepettedandthanked。\'
Thequeen,almostdumbwithterror,invaintriedtothinkofsomeexplanationorapology;buttherewasnone,andshecouldonlyconfessherfaultandimploreforgiveness。Thefairiesalsodidtheirbesttosoftenthewrathoftheirsister,andknowingthat,likemanyplainpeoplewhoarenotfairies,shewasveryvain,theyentreatedhertodrophercrab\'sdisguise,andtobecomeoncemorethecharmingpersontheywereaccustomedtosee。
Forsometimetheenragedfairywouldlistentonothing;butatlengththeflatteriesbegantotakeeffect。Thecrab\'sshellfellfromher,sheshrankintoherusualsize,andlostsomeofherfierceexpression。
\'Well,\'shesaid,\'Iwillnotcausetheprincess\'sdeath,asIhadmeanttodo,butatthesametimeshewillhavetobearthepunishmentofhermother\'sfault,asmanyotherchildrenhavedonebeforeher。
ThesentenceIpassuponheris,thatifsheisallowedtoseeonerayofdaylightbeforeherfifteenthbirthdayshewillrueitbitterly,anditmayperhapscostherherlife。\'Andwiththesewordsshevanishedbythewindowthroughwhichshecame,whilethefairiescomfortedtheweepingqueenandtookcounselhowbesttheprincessmightbekeptsafeduringherchildhood。
Attheendofhalfanhourtheyhadmadeuptheirmindswhattodo,andatthecommandofthefairies,abeautifulpalacesprangup,closetothatofthekingandqueen,butdifferentfromeverypalaceintheworldinhavingnowindows,andonlyadoorrightundertheearth。
However,oncewithin,daylightwashardlymissed,sobrilliantwerethemultitudesoftapersthatwereburningonthewalls。
Nowuptothistimetheprincess\'shistoryhasbeenlikethehistoryofmanyaprincessthatyouhavereadabout;but,whentheperiodofherimprisonmentwasnearlyover,herfortunestookanotherturn。Foralmostfifteenyearsthefairieshadtakencareofher,andamusedherandtaughther,sothatwhenshecameintotheworldshemightbenowhitbehindthedaughtersofotherkingsinallthatmakesaprincesscharmingandaccomplished。Theyalllovedherdearly,butthefairyTuliplovedhermostofall;andastheprincess\'sfifteenthbirthdaydrewnear,thefairybegantotremblelestsomethingterribleshouldhappen——someaccidentwhichhadnotbeenforeseen。\'Donotletheroutofyoursight,\'saidTuliptothequeen,\'andmeanwhile,letherportraitbepaintedandcarriedtotheneighbouringCourts,asisthecustominorderthatthekingsmayseehowfarherbeautyexceedsthatofeveryotherprincess,andthattheymaydemandherinmarriagefortheirsons。\'
Andsoitwasdone;andasthefairyhadprophesied,alltheyoungprincesfellinlovewiththepicture;butthelastonetowhomitwasshowncouldthinkofnothingelse,andrefusedtoletitberemovedfromhischamber,wherehespentwholedaysgazingatit。
Thekinghisfatherwasmuchsurprisedatthechangewhichhadcomeoverhisson,whogenerallypassedallhistimeinhuntingorhawking,andhisanxietywasincreasedbyaconversationheoverheardbetweentwoofhiscourtiersthattheyfearedtheprincemustbegoingoutofhismind,somoodyhadhebecome。Withoutlosingamomentthekingwenttovisithisson,andnosoonerhadheenteredtheroomthantheyoungmanflunghimselfathisfather\'sfeet。
\'YouhavebetrothedmealreadytoabrideIcanneverlove！\'criedhe;
\'butifyouwillnotconsenttobreakoffthematch,andaskforthehandoftheprincessDesiree,Ishalldieofmisery,thankfultobealivenolonger。\'
Thesewordsmuchdispleasedtheking,whofeltthat,inbreakingoffthemarriagealreadyarrangedhewouldalmostcertainlybebringingonhissubjectsalongandbloodywar;so,withoutanswering,heturnedaway,hopingthatafewdaysmightbringhissontoreason。Buttheprince\'sconditiongrewrapidlysomuchworsethattheking,indespair,promisedtosendanembassyatoncetoDesiree\'sfather。
Thisnewscuredtheyoungmaninaninstantofallhisills;andhebegantoplanouteverydetailofdressandofhorsesandcarriageswhichwerenecessarytomakethetrainoftheenvoy,whosenamewasBecasigue,assplendidaspossible。Helongedtoformpartoftheembassyhimself,ifonlyinthedisguiseofapage;butthisthekingwouldnotallow,andsotheprincehadtocontenthimselfwithsearchingthekingdomforeverythingthatwasrareandbeautifultosendtotheprincess。Indeed,hearrived,justastheembassywasstarting,withhisportrait,whichhadbeenpaintedinsecretbythecourtpainter。
Thekingandqueenwishedfornothingbetterthanthattheirdaughtermarryintosuchagreatandpowerfulfamily,andreceivedtheambassadorwitheverysignofwelcome。TheyevenwishedhimtoseetheprincessDesiree,butthiswaspreventedbythefairyTulip,whofearedsomeillmightcomeofit。
\'Andbesureyoutellhim,\'addedshe,\'thatthemarriagecannotbecelebratedtillsheisfifteenyearsold,orelsesometerriblemisfortunewillhappentothechild。\'
SowhenBecasigue,surroundbyhistrain,madeaformalrequestthattheprincessDesireemightbegiveninmarriagetohismaster\'sson,thekingrepliedthathewasmuchhonoured,andwouldgladlygivehisconsent;butthatnoonecouldevenseetheprincesstillherfifteenthbirthday,asthespelllaiduponherinhercradlebyaspitefulfairy,wouldnotceasetoworktillthatwaspast。Theambassadorwasgreatlysurprisedanddisappointed,butheknewtoomuchaboutfairiestoventuretodisobeythem,thereforehehadtocontenthimselfwithpresentingtheprince\'sportraittothequeen,wholostnotimeincarryingittotheprincess。Asthegirltookitinherhandsitsuddenlyspoke,asithadbeentaughttodo,andutteredacomplimentofthemostdelicateandcharmingsort,whichmadetheprincessflushwithpleasure。
\'Howwouldyouliketohaveahusbandlikethat？\'askedthequeen,laughing。
\'AsifIknewanythingabouthusbands！\'repliedDesiree,whohadlongagoguessedthebusinessoftheambassador。
\'Well,hewillbeyourhusbandinthreemonths,\'answeredthequeen,orderingtheprince\'spresentstobebroughtin。Theprincesswasverypleasedwiththem,andadmiredthemgreatly,butthequeennoticedthatallthewhilehereyesconstantlystrayedfromthesoftestsilksandmostbrilliantjewelstotheportraitoftheprince。
Theambassador,findingthattherewasnohopeofhisbeingallowedtoseetheprincess,tookhisleave,andreturnedtohisowncourt;buthereanewdifficultyappeared。Theprince,thoughtransportedwithjoyatthethoughtthatDesireewasindeedtobehisbride,wasbitterlydisappointedthatshehadnotbeenallowedtoreturnwithBecasigue,ashehadfoolishlyexpected;andneverhavingbeentaughttodenyhimselfanythingortocontrolhisfeelings,hefellasillashehaddonebefore。Hewouldeatnothingnortakepleasureinanything,butlayalldayonaheapofcushions,gazingatthepictureoftheprincess。
\'IfIhavetowaitthreemonthsbeforeIcanmarrytheprincessIshalldie！\'wasallthisspoiltboywouldsay;andatlengththeking,indespair,resolvedtosendafreshembassytoDesiree\'sfathertoimplorehimtopermitthemarriagetobecelebratedatonce。\'Iwouldhavepresentedmyprayerinperson,headdedinhisletter,\'butmygreatageandinfirmitiesdonotsuffermetotravel;howevermyenvoyhasorderstoagreetoanyarrangementthatyoumaypropose。\'
OnhisarrivalatthepalaceBecasiguepleadedhisyoungmaster\'scauseasferventlyasthekinghisfathercouldhavedone,andentreatedthattheprincessmightbeconsultedinthematter。Thequeenhastenedtothemarbletower,andtoldherdaughterofthesadstateoftheprince。
Desireesankdownfaintingatthenews,butsooncametoherselfagain,andsetaboutinventingaplanwhichwouldenablehertogototheprincewithoutriskingthedoompronouncedoverherbythewickedfairy。
\'Isee！\'sheexclaimedjoyfullyatlast。\'Letacarriagebebuiltthroughwhichnolightcancome,andletitbebroughtintomyroom。I
willthengetintoit,andwecantravelswiftlyduringthenightandarrivebeforedawnatthepalaceoftheprince。Oncethere,Icanremaininsomeundergroundchamber,wherenolightcancome。\'
\'Ah,howcleveryouare,\'criedthequeen,claspingherinherarms。
Andshehurriedawaytotelltheking。
\'Whatawifeourprincewillhave！\'saidBecasiguebowinglow;\'butI
musthastenbackwiththetidings,andtopreparetheundergroundchamberfortheprincess。\'Andsohetookhisleave。
Inafewdaysthecarriagecommandedbytheprincesswasready。Itwasofgreenvelvet,scatteredoverwithlargegoldenthistles,andlinedinsidewithsilverbrocadeembroideredwithpinkroses。Ithadnowindows,ofcourse;butthefairyTulip,whosecounselhadbeenasked,hadmanagedtolightitupwithasoftglowthatcamenooneknewwhither。
Itwascarriedstraightupintothegreathallofthetower,andtheprincesssteppedintoit,followedbyherfaithfulmaidofhonour,Eglantine,andbyherladyinwaitingCerisette,whoalsohadfalleninlovewiththeprince\'sportraitandwasbitterlyjealousofhermistress。ThefourthplaceinthecarriagewasfilledbyCerisette\'smother,whohadbeensentbythequeentolookafterthethreeyoungpeople。
NowtheFairyoftheFountainwasthegodmotheroftheprincessNera,towhomtheprincehadbeenbetrothedbeforethepictureofDesireehadmadehimfaithless。Shewasveryangryattheslightputuponhergodchild,andfromthatmomentkeptcarefulwatchontheprincess。Inthisjourneyshesawherchance,anditwasshewho,invisible,satbyCerisette,andputbadthoughtsintothemindsofbothherandhermother。
Thewaytothecitywheretheprincelivedranforthemostpartthroughathickforest,andeverynightwhentherewasnomoon,andnotasinglestarcouldbeseenthroughthetrees,theguardswhotravelledwiththeprincessopenedthecarriagetogiveitanairing。Thiswentonforseveraldays,tillonlytwelvehoursjourneylaybetweenthemandthepalace。TheCerisettepersuadedhermothertocutagreatholeinthesideofthecarriagewithasharpknifewhichsheherselfhadbroughtforthepurpose。Intheforestthedarknesswassointensethatnooneperceivedwhatshehaddone,butwhentheyleftthelasttreesbehindthem,andemergedintotheopencountry,thesunwasup,andforthefirsttimesinceherbabyhood,Desireefoundherselfinthelightofday。
Shelookedupinsurpriseatthedazzlingbrilliancethatstreamedthroughthehole;thengaveasighwhichseemedtocomefromherheart。
Thecarriagedoorswungback,asifbymagic,andawhitedoesprangout,andinamomentwaslosttosightintheforest。But,quickasshewas,Eglantine,hermaidofhonour,hadtimetoseewhereshewent,andjumpedfromthecarriageinpursuitofher,followedatadistancebytheguards。
Cerisetteandhermotherlookedateachotherinsurpriseandjoy。
Theycouldhardlybelieveintheirgoodfortune,foreverythinghadhappenedexactlyastheywished。Thefirstthingtobedonewastoconcealtheholewhichhadbeencut,andwhenthiswasmanaged（withthehelpoftheangryfairy,thoughtheydidnotknowit）,Cerisettehastenedtotakeoffherownclothes,andputonthoseoftheprincess,placingthecrownofdiamondsonherhead。Shefoundthisheavierthansheexpected;butthen,shehadneverbeenaccustomedtowearcrowns,whichmakesallthedifference。
Atthegatesofthecitythecarriagewasstoppedbyaguardofhonoursentbythekingasanescorttohisson\'sbride。ThoughCerisetteandhermothercouldofcourseseenothingofwhatwasgoingonoutside,theyheardplainlytheshoutsofwelcomefromthecrowdsalongthestreets。
ThecarriagestoppedatlengthinthevasthallwhichBecasiguehadpreparedforthereceptionoftheprincess。Thegrandchamberlainandthelordhighstewardwereawaitingher,andwhenthefalsebridesteppedintothebrilliantlylightedroom,theybowedlow,andsaidtheyhadorderstoinformhishighnessthemomentshearrived。Theprince,whomthestrictetiquetteofthecourthadpreventedfrombeingpresentintheundergroundhall,wasburningwithimpatienceinhisownapartments。
\'Soshehadcome！\'criedhe,throwingdownthebowhehadbeenpretendingtomend。\'Well,wasInotright？Isshenotamiracleofbeautyandgrace？Andhassheherequalinthewholeworld？\'Theministerslookedateachother,andmadenoreply;tillatlengththechamberlain,whowasthebolderofthetwo,observed:
\'Mylord,astoherbeauty,youcanjudgeofthatforyourself。Nodoubtitisasgreatasyousay;butatpresentitseemstohavesuffered,asisnatural,fromthefatiguesofthejourney。\'
Thiswascertainlynotwhattheprincehadexpectedtohear。Couldtheportraithaveflatteredher？Hehadknownofsuchthingsbefore,andacoldshiverranthroughhim;butwithanefforthekeptsilentfromfurtherquestioning,andonlysaid:
\'Hasthekingbeentoldthattheprincessisinthepalace？\'
\'Yes,highness;andhehasprobablyalreadyjoinedher。\'
\'ThenIwillgotoo,\'saidtheprince。
Weakashewasfromhislongillness,theprincedescendedthestaircase,supportedbytheministers,andenteredtheroomjustintimetohearhisfather\'sloudcryofastonishmentanddisgustatthesightofCerisette。
\'Therewasbeentreacheryatwork,\'heexclaimed,whiletheprinceleant,dumbwithhorror,againstthedoorpost。Buttheladyinwaiting,whohadbeenpreparedforsomethingofthesort,advanced,holdinginherhandtheletterswhichthekingandqueenhadentrustedtoher。
\'ThisistheprincessDesiree,\'saidshe,pretendingtohaveheardnothing,\'andIhavethehonourtopresenttoyoutheselettersfrommyliegelordandlady,togetherwiththecasketcontainingtheprincess\'
jewels。\'
Thekingdidnotmoveoranswerher;sotheprince,leaningonthearmofBecasigue,approachedalittleclosertothefalseprincess,hopingagainsthopethathiseyeshaddeceivedhim。Butthelongerhelookedthemoreheagreedwithhisfatherthattherewastreasonsomewhere,forinnosinglerespectdidtheportraitresemblethewomanbeforehim。Cerisettewassotallthatthedressoftheprincessdidnotreachherankles,andsothinthatherbonesshowedthroughthestuff。
Besidesthathernosewashooked,andherteethblackandugly。
Inhisturn,theprincestoodrootedtothespot。Atlasthespoke,andhiswordswereaddressedtohisfather,andnottothebridewhohadcomesofartomarryhim。
\'Wehavebeendeceived,\'hesaid,\'anditwillcostmemylife。\'AndheleanedsoheavilyontheenvoythatBecasiguefearedhewasgoingtofaint,andhastilylaidhimonthefloor。Forsomeminutesnoonecouldattendtoanybodybuttheprince;butassoonasherevivedtheladyinwaitingmadeherselfheard。
\'Oh,mylovelyprincess,whydidweeverleavehome？\'criedshe。\'Butthekingyourfatherwillavengetheinsultsthathavebeenheapedonyouwhenwetellhimhowyouhavebeentreated。\'
\'Iwilltellhimmyself,\'repliedthekinginwrath;\'hepromisedmeawonderofbeauty,hehassentmeaskeleton！Iamnotsurprisedthathehaskeptherforfifteenyearshiddenawayfromtheeyesoftheworld。Takethembothaway,\'hecontinued,turningtohisguards,\'andlodgetheminthestateprison。ThereissomethingmoreIhavetolearnofthismatter。\'
Hisorderswereobeyed,andtheprince,loudlybewailinghissadfate,wasledbacktobed,whereformanydayshelayinahighfever。Atlengthheslowlybegantogainstrength,buthissorrowwasstillsogreatthathecouldnotbearthesightofastrangeface,andshudderedatthenotionoftakinghisproperpartinthecourtceremonies。
Unknowntotheking,ortoanybodybutBecasigue,heplannedthat,assoonashewasable,hewouldmakehisescapeandpasstherestofhislifealoneinsomesolitaryplace。Itwassomeweeksbeforehehadregainedhishealthsufficientlytocarryouthisdesign;butfinally,onebeautifulstarlightnight,thetwofriendsstoleaway,andwhenthekingwokenextmorninghefoundaletterlyingbyhisbed,sayingthathissonhadgone,heknewnotwhither。Heweptbittertearsatthenews,forhelovedtheprincedearly;buthefeltthatperhapstheyoungmanhaddonewisely,andhetrustedtotimeandBecasigue\'sinfluencetobringthewandererhome。
Andwhilethesethingswerehappening,whathadbecomeofthewhitedoe？Thoughwhenshesprangfromthecarriageshewasawarethatsomeunkindfatehadchangedherintoananimal,yet,tillshesawherselfinastream,shehadnoideawhatitwas。
\'Isitreally,I,Desiree？\'shesaidtoherself,weeping。\'Whatwickedfairycanhavetreatedmeso;andshallInever,nevertakemyownshapeagain？Myonlycomfortthat,inthisgreatforest,fulloflionsandserpents,mylifewillbeashortone。\'
NowthefairyTulipwasasmuchgrievedatthesadfateoftheprincessasDesiree\'sownmothercouldhavebeenifshehadknownofit。Still,shecouldnothelpfeelingthatifthekingandqueenhadlistenedtoheradvicethegirlwouldbythistimebesafelyinthewallsofhernewhome。However,shelovedDesireetoomuchtolethersuffermorethancouldbehelped,anditwasshewhoguidedEglantinetotheplacewherethewhitedoewasstanding,croppingthegrasswhichwasherdinner。
Atthesoundoffootstepstheprettycreatureliftedherhead,andwhenshesawherfaithfulcompanionapproachingsheboundedtowardsher,andrubbedherheadonEglantine\'sshoulder。Themaidofhonourwassurprised;butshewasfondofanimals,andstrokedthewhitedoetenderly,speakinggentlytoherallthewhile。Suddenlythebeautifulcreatureliftedherhead,andlookedupintoEglantine\'sface,withtearsstreamingfromhereyes。Athoughtflashedthroughhermind,andquickaslightningthegirlflungherselfonherknees,andliftingtheanimal\'sfeetkissedthemonebyone。\'Myprincess！Omydearprincess！\'criedshe;andagainthewhitedoerubbedherheadagainsther,forthoughtthespitefulfairyhadtakenawayherpowerofspeech,shehadnotdeprivedherofherreason！
Alldaylongthetworemainedtogether,andwhenEglantinegrewhungryshewasledbythewhitedoetoapartoftheforestwherepearsandpeachesgrewinabundance;but,asnightcameon,themaidofhonourwasfilledwiththeterrorsofwildbeastswhichhadbesettheprincessduringherfirstnightintheforest。
\'Istherenohutorcavewecouldgointo？\'askedshe。Butthedoeonlyshookherhead;andthetwosatdownandweptwithfright。
ThefairyTulip,who,inspiteofheranger,wasverysoft—hearted,wastouchedattheirdistress,andflewquicklytotheirhelp。
\'Icannottakeawaythespellaltogether,\'shesaid,\'fortheFairyoftheFountainisstrongerthanI;butIcanshortenthetimeofyourpunishment,andamabletomakeitlesshard,forassoonasdarknessfallyoushallresumeyourownshape。\'