 The Yellow Dwarf of the Blue Fairy Book. Once upon a time there lived a queen who had been the mother of a great many children, and of them all only one daughter was left, but then she was worth at least a thousand. Her mother who, since the death of the king her father, had nothing in the world she cared for so much as this little princess, was so terribly afraid of losing her that she quite spoiled her and never tried to correct any of her faults. The consequence was that this little person, who was as pretty as possible, and was one day to wear a crown, grew up so proud and so much in love with her own beauty that she despised everyone else in the world. The queen her mother, by her caresses and flatteries, helped to make her believe that there was nothing too good for her. She was dressed almost always in the prettiest frocks, as a fairy, or as a queen going out to hunt, and the ladies of the court followed her, dressed as forest fairies. And to make her more vain than ever, the queen caused her portrait to be taken by the cleverest painters, and sent it to several neighbouring kings with whom she was very friendly. When they saw this portrait they fell in love with the princess, every one of them. But upon each it had a different effect. One fell ill, one went quite crazy, and a few of the luckiest set out to see her as soon as possible. But these poor princes became her slaves the moment they set eyes on her. Never has there been a gayer court twenty delightful kings did everything they could think of to make themselves agreeable. And after having spent ever so much money in giving a single entertainment, thought themselves very lucky if the princess said, That's pretty. All this admiration vastly pleased the queen. Not a day passed, but she received seven or eight thousand sonnets, and as many elegies, madrigals and songs, which were sent her by all the poets in the world, all the prose and all the poetry that was written just then was about Belissima, for that was the princess's name. And all the bonfires that they had were made of these verses, which crackled and sparkled better than any other sort of wood. Belissima was already fifteen years old, and every one of the princes wished to marry her. But not one dared say so. How could they when they knew that any one of them might have cut off his head five or six times a day just to please her? And she would have thought it a mere trifle. So little did she care. You may imagine how hard-hearted her lovers thought her, and the queen who wished to see her married did not know how to persuade her to think of it seriously. Belissima, she said, I do wish you would not be so proud. What makes you despise all these nice kings? I wish you to marry one of them, and you do not try to please me. I am so happy, Belissima answered. Do leave me in peace, madam. I don't want to care for any one. But you would be very happy with any of these princes, said the queen, and I shall be very angry if you fall in love with any one who is not worthy of you. But the princess thought so much of herself that she did not consider any one of her lovers clever or handsome enough for her. And her mother, who was getting really angry at her determination not to be married, began to wish that she had not allowed her to have her own way so much. At last, not knowing what else to do, she resolved to consult a certain witch who was called the fairy of the desert. Now, this was very difficult to do, as she was guarded by some terrible lions. But happily the queen had heard a long time before that whoever wanted to pass these lions safely must throw to them a cake made of millet flour, sugar candy, and crocodile's eggs. This cake she prepared with her own hands, and putting it in a little basket she set out to seek the fairy. But as she was not used to walking far, she soon fell very tired and sat down at the foot of a tree to rest, and presently fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was dismayed to find her basket empty. The cake was all gone, and to make matters worse, at that moment she heard the roaring of the great lions, who had found out that she was near, and were coming to look for her. What shall I do? she cried. I shall be eaten up. In being too frightened to run a single step, she began to cry. And leaned against the tree under which she had been asleep. Just then she heard someone say, she looked all around her, and then up the tree, and there she saw a little tiny man who was eating oranges. Oh, queen, said he, I know you very well, and I know how much afraid you are of the lions, and you are quite right too. For they have eaten many other people, and what can you expect as you do not have any cake to give them? I must make up my mind to die, said the poor queen. Alas, I should not care so much if only my dear daughter were married. Oh, you have a daughter, cried the yellow dwarf, who was so called because he was a dwarf, and had such a yellow face, and lived in the orange tree. I am really glad to hear that, for I have been looking for a wife all over the world. Now if you will promise that she shall marry me, not one of the lions, tigers, or bears shall touch you. The queen looked at him, and was almost as much afraid of his ugly little face, as she had been of the lions before, so that she could not speak a word. What? you hesitate, madam, cried the dwarf, you must be very fond of being eaten alive. And as he spoke, the queen saw the lions, which were running down a hill toward them. Each one had two heads, eight feet, and four rows of teeth, and their skin was as hard as turtle shells, and were bright red. At this dreadful sight, the poor queen, who was trembling like a dove when it sees a hawk, cried out as loud as she could, oh, dear dwarf, Belissima shall marry you. Oh, indeed, he said disdainfully, Belissima is pretty enough, but I don't particularly want to marry her, you can keep her. Oh, noble sir, said the queen in great distress, do not refuse her, she is the most charming princess in the world. Oh, well, he replied, out of charity I will take her, but be sure and don't forget that she is mine. As he spoke, a little door opened in the trunk of the orange tree. Ian rushed the queen only just in time, and the door shut with a bang in the faces of the lions. The queen was so confused that at first she did not notice another little door in the orange tree, but presently it opened, and she found herself in a field of thistles and nettles. It was encircled by a muddy ditch, and a little further on was a tiny thatched cottage, out of which came the yellow dwarf with a very jaunting air. He wore wooden shoes and a little yellow coat, and as he had no hair in very long ears, he looked altogether a shocking little object. I am delighted, he said to the queen, that as you are to be my mother-in-law, you should see the house in which your Belissima will live with me. With these thistles and nettles she can feed a donkey which she can ride whenever she likes. Under this humble roof no weather can hurt her. She will drink the water of this brook and eat frogs which grow very fat about here, and then she will have me always with her, handsome, agreeable, and gay as you see me now. For if her shadow stands by her more closely than I do, I shall be surprised. The unhappy queen, seeing all at once what a miserable life her daughter would have with this dwarf, could not bear the idea, and fell down insensible without saying a word. When she revived she found to her great surprise that she was lying in her own bed at home, and what was more that she had on the loveliest laced night-camp that she had ever seen in her life. At first she thought that all her adventures, the terrible lions and her promise to the yellow dwarf that he should marry Belissima, must have been a dream. But there was the new cap with this beautiful ribbon and lace to remind her that it was all true, which made her so unhappy that she could neither eat, drink, nor sleep for thinking of it. The princess, who in spite of her wilfulness really loved her mother with all her heart, and was much grieved when she saw her looking so sad, and often asked her what was the matter. But the queen, who didn't want her to find out the truth, only said that she was ill, or that one of her neighbors was threatening to make war against her. Belissima knew quite well that something was being hidden from her, and that neither of these was the real reason of the queen's uneasiness. So she made up her mind that she would go and consult the fairy of the desert about it, especially as she had often heard how wise she was, and she thought at the same time she might ask her advice as to whether it would be as well to be married or not. So with great care she made some of the proper cake to pacify the lions, and one night went up to her room very early, pretending that she was going to bed. But instead of that she wrapped herself in a long white veil, and went down a secret staircase, and set off all by herself to find the witch. But when she got as far as that same fatal orange tree, inside covered with flowers and fruit, she stopped and began to gather some of the oranges. And then, putting down her basket, she sat down to eat them. But when it was time to go on again, the basket had disappeared, and though she looked everywhere, not a trace of it could she find. The more she hunted for it, the more frightened she got, and at last she began to cry. Then all at once she saw before her the yellow dwarf. What's the matter with you, my pretty one? said he. What are you crying about? Alas! she answered, no wonder that I am crying, seeing that I have lost the basket of cake, that was to help me get safely to the cave of the fairy of the desert. And what do you want with her, pretty one? said the little monster. For I am a friend of hers, and for the matter of that I am quite as clever as she is. The queen, my mother, replied the princess, has lately fallen into such a deep sadness that I fear that she will die, and I am afraid that perhaps I am the cause of it. For she very much wishes me to be married, and I must tell you that as yet I have not found anyone I consider worthy to be my husband. So for all these reasons I wish to talk to the fairy. Do not give yourself any further trouble, princess, answered the dwarf. I can tell you all you want to know better than she could. The queen, your mother, has promised you in marriage. Has promised me? interrupted the princess. Oh no! I am sure she has not. She would have told me if she had. I am too much interested in the matter for her to promise anything without my consent. You must be mistaken. Beautiful princess! cried the dwarf suddenly, throwing himself on her knees before her. I flatter myself that you will not be displeased at her choice when I tell you that it is to me she has promised the happiness of marrying you. You! cried Belissima, starting back. My mother wishes me to marry you. How can you be so silly as to think such a thing? It is not that I care much to have that honor, cried the dwarf angrily. But here are the lions coming. They lead you up in three mouthfuls, and there will be an end of you and your pride. And indeed at that moment the poor princess heard the dreadful howls coming nearer and nearer. What shall I do? she cried. Must all my happy days come to an end like this? The malicious dwarf looked at her and began to laugh spitefully. At least, said he, you have the satisfaction of dying unmarried. A lovely princess like you must surely prefer to die rather than be the wife of a poor little dwarf like myself. Oh, don't be angry with me, cried the princess, clasping her hands. I'd rather marry all the dwarfs in the world than to die in this horrible way. Look at me well, princess, before you give me your word, said he. I don't want you to promise me in a hurry. Oh, cried she, the lions are coming. I have looked at you enough. I am so frightened. Save me this minute or I shall die of terror. Indeed as she spoke she fell down insensible, and when she recovered she found herself in her own bed at home. How she got that she could not tell, but she was dressed in the most beautiful lace and ribbons, and on her finger was a little ring made of a single red hair, which fitted so tightly, try she might she could not get it off. When the princess saw all these things and remembered what had happened, she too fell into the deepest sadness, which surprised and alarmed the whole court, and the queen more than anyone else. A hundred times she asked Belisuma if anything was the matter with her, but always she said that there was nothing. At last the chief men of the kingdom, anxious to see the princess married, sent to the queen to beg her to choose a husband for her as soon as possible. She replied that nothing would please her better, but that her daughters seemed so unwilling to marry, and she recommended them to go and talk to the princess about it themselves, so this they at once did. Nabelisuma was much less proud since her adventure with the Yellow Dwarf, and she could not think of a better way of getting rid of the little monster than to marry some powerful king. Therefore she replied to their request much more favorably than they had hoped, saying that though she was very happy as she was, still to please them she would consent to marry the king of the gold mines. Now he was a very handsome and powerful prince, who had been in love with the princess for years, but had not thought that she would ever care about him at all. You can easily imagine how delighted he was when he heard the news, and how angry it made all the other kings to lose forever the hope of marrying the princess. But after all, Belisima could not have married twenty kings. Indeed she had found it quite difficult enough to choose one, for her vanity made her believe that there was nobody in the world who was worthy of her. Preparations were begun at once for the grandest wedding that had ever been held at the palace. The king of the gold mines sent such immense sums of money that the whole sea was covered with ships that brought it. Messengers were sent to all the gayest and most refined courts, particularly of the court of France, to seek out everything rare and precious to adorn the princess, although her beauty was so perfect that nothing she wore could make her look prettier. At least that is what the king of the gold mines thought, and he was never happy unless he was with her. As for the princess, the more she saw of the king, the more she liked him. He was so generous, so handsome and clever, that at last she was almost as much in love with him as he was with her. How happy they were as they wandered about in the beautiful gardens together, sometimes listening to sweet music, and the king used to write songs for Belisima. This is the one that she liked very much. In the forest all is gay when my princess walks that way. All the blossoms then are found downward fluttering to the ground, hoping she may tread on them, and bright flowers on slender stem. Gays up at her as she passes, brushing lightly through the grasses. All my princess birds above echo back our songs of love. As through this enchanted land, life we wander hand in hand. They were really as happy as the day was long. All the king's unsuccessful rivals had gone home in despair. They said goodbye to the princess so sadly that she could not help being sorry for them. Ah, madam, the king of the gold mine said to her, how is this? Why do you waste your pity on these princes, who love you so much that all their trouble would be well repaid, by a single smile from you? I should be sorry, answered Belisima. If you had not noticed how much I pity these princes, who are leaving me forever, but for you, sire, it is very different. You have every reason to be pleased with me, but they are going sorrowfully away, so you must not grudge them, my compassion. The king of the gold mines was quite overcome by the princess's good-natured way of taking his interference, and throwing himself at her feet. He kissed her hand a thousand times and begged her to forgive him. At last the happy day came. Everything was ready for Belisima's wedding. The trumpets sounded, all the streets of the town were hung with flags and strewn with flowers, and the people ran in crowds to the great square before the palace. The queen was so overjoyed that she had hardly been able to sleep at all, and she got up before it was light to give the necessary orders, and had chosen the jewels that the princess was to wear. These were nothing less than diamonds, even to her shoes which were covered with them, and her dress of silver brocade was embroidered with a dozen of the sun's rays. You may imagine how much these had cost, but then nothing could have been more brilliant except the beauty of the princess. Upon her head she wore a splendid crown, her lovely hair waved nearly to her feet, and her stately figure could easily be distinguished among all the ladies who attended her. The king of the gold mines was not less noble and splendid. It was easy to see by his face how happy he was, and everyone who went near him returned loaded with presents. For all around the great banquetting hall had been arranged a thousand barrels full of gold, and numberless bags made of velvet embroidered with pearls and filled with money, each one containing at least a hundred thousand gold pieces, which were given away to everyone who'd like to hold out his hand, which numbers of people hastened to do, you may be sure. Indeed, some found this by far the most amusing part of the wedding festivities. The queen and the princess were just ready to set out with the king, when they saw advancing toward them from the end of the long gallery, two great basilisks dragging after them a very badly made box. Behind them came a tall old woman whose ugliness was even more surprising than her extreme old age. She wore a ruff of black teffeta, a red velvet hood, and a farthing gale all in rags, and she leaned heavily upon a crutch. The strange old woman, without saying a single word, hobbled three times round the gallery, followed by the basilisks, and then stopping in the middle and brandishing her crutch threateningly, she cried, Ho, ho, queen! Ho, ho, princess! Do you think you are going to break with impunity the promise that you made to my friend the Yellow Dwarf? I am the fairy of the desert. Without the Yellow Dwarf and his orange tree, my great lions would soon have eaten you up, I can tell you, and in fairyland we do not suffer ourselves to be insulted like this. Make up your minds at once what you will do, for I vow that you shall marry the Yellow Dwarf. If you don't, may I burn my crutch. Ah, princess! said the queen weeping. What is this that I hear? What have you promised? Ah, my mother replied belisimus sadly. What did you promise yourself? The king of the gold mines, indignant at being kept from his happiness by this wicked old woman, went up to her and threatening her with his sword said, Get away out of my country at once, and forever, miserable creature, lest I take your life and so rid myself of your malice. He had hardly spoken these words when the lid of the box fell back on the floor with a terrible noise, and into their horror out sprang the Yellow Dwarf, mounted upon a great Spanish cat. Rash, youth, he cried, rushing between the fairy of the desert and the king. Dare to lay a finger on this illustrious fairy? Your quarrel is with me only. I am your enemy and your rival. That faithless princess, who would have married you, is promised to me. See if she has not upon her finger a ring made of one of my hairs. Just try to take it off, and you will soon find out that I am more powerful than you are. Wretched little monster, said the king, do you dare to call yourself the princess's lover and to lay claim to such a treasure? Do you know that you are a dwarf, that you are so ugly, that one cannot bear to look at you, and that I should have killed you myself long before this if you had been worthy of such a glorious death? The Yellow Dwarf deeply enraged at these words, set spurs to his cat, which yelled horribly, and leaped hither and thither, terrifying everybody except the brave king, who pursued the dwarf closely till he, drawing a great knife with which he was armed, challenged the king to meet him in single combat, and rushed down to the courtyard of the palace with a terrible clatter. The king quite provoked followed him hastily, but they had hardly taken their places facing one another, and the whole court had only just had time to rush out upon the balconies to watch what was going on. When suddenly the sun became red as blood, and it was so dark that they could scarcely see it all. The thunder crashed, and the lightning seemed as if it must burn up everything. The two basilisks appeared, one on each end of the bad dwarf, like giants, mountains high, and fire flew from their mouths and ears until they looked like flaming furnaces. None of these things could terrify the noble young king. In the boldness of his looks and actions reassured those who were looking on, and perhaps even embarrassed the Yellow Dwarf himself. But even his courage gave way when he saw what was happening to his beloved princess. For the fairy of the desert looking more terrible than before, mounted upon a winged griffin, and with long snakes coiled round her neck, had given her such a blow with the lance she carried, the belisima fell into the queen's arms bleeding and senseless. Her fond mother, feeling as much hurt by the blow as the princess herself, uttered such piercing cries and lamentations that the king, hearing them, entirely lost his courage in presence of mine. Giving up the combat he flew toward the princess to rescue her or die with her, but the Yellow Dwarf was too quick for him. Leaping with the Spanish cat upon the balcony, he snatched Belisima from the queen's arms, and before any of the ladies of the court could stop him, he had sprung upon the roof of the palace and disappeared with his prize. The king, motionless with horror, looked on despairingly at this dreadful occurrence, which he was quite powerless to prevent. And to make matters worse, his sight failed him. Everything became dark, and he felt himself carried along through the air by a strong hand. This new misfortune was the work of the wicked fairy of the desert, who had come with the Yellow Dwarf to help him carry off the princess, and had fallen in love with a handsome young king in the gold mines directly she saw him. She thought that if she carried him off to some frightful cavern and chained him to a rock, then the fear of death would make him forget Belisima and become her slave. So, as soon as they reached the place, she gave him back his sight, but without releasing him from his chains, and by her magic power she appeared before him as a young and beautiful fairy, and pretended to have come there quite by chance. What do I see, she cried. Is it you, dear prince? What misfortune has brought you to this dismal place? The king, who was quite deceived by her altered appearance, replied, Alas, a beautiful fairy. The fairy who brought me here first took away my sight, but by her voice I recognized her as the fairy of the desert. Though what she should have carried me off for, I cannot tell you. Ah, cried the pretended fairy. If you have fallen into her hands, you won't get away until you have married her. She has carried off more than one prince like this, and she will certainly have anything she takes a fancy to. While she was thus pretending to be sorry for the king, he suddenly noticed her feet, which were like those of a griffin, and knew in a moment that this must be the fairy of the desert, for her feet were the one thing she could not change, however pretty she might make her face. Without seeming to have noticed anything, he said in a confidential way. Not that I have any dislike for the fairy of the desert, but I really cannot endure the way in which she protects the yellow dwarf, and keeps me chained here like a criminal. It is true that I love a charming princess, but if the fairy should set me free, my gratitude will oblige me to love her only. Do you really mean what you say, prince? said the fairy, quite deceived. Surely, replied the prince, how could I deceive you? You see, it is so much more flattering to my vanity to be loved by a fairy than by a simple princess. But even I am dying of love for her. I shall pretend to hate her until I am set free. The fairy of the desert, quite taken in by these words, resolved at once to transport the prince to a pleasenter place, so making him mount her chariot, to which she had harnessed swans instead of the bats, which generally drew it, away she flew with him. But imagine the distress of the prince when, from the giddy height at which they were rushing through the air, he saw his beloved princess in a castle built of polished steel, the walls of which reflected the sun raised so hotly that no one could approach it without being burned to a cinder. Belisimwa was sitting in the thicket by a brook, leaning her head upon her hand and weeping bitterly. But just as they passed she looked up and saw the king and the fairy of the desert. Now the fairy was so clever that she could not only seem beautiful to the king, but even the poor princess thought her the most lovely being that she had ever seen. What, she cried, was I not unhappy enough in this lonely castle to which that frightful yellow dwarf brought me? Must I also be made to know that the king of the gold mine ceased to love me as soon as he lost sight of me? But who can my rival be whose fatal beauty is greater than mine? While she was saying this, the king, who really loved her as much as ever, was feeling terribly sad at being so rapidly torn away from his beloved princess. But he knew too well how powerful the fairy was to have any hope of escaping from her except by great patience and cunning. The fairy of the desert had also seen Belisimwa, and she tried to read in the king's eyes the effect that this unexpected sight had had upon him. No one can tell you what you wish to know better than I can, said he. This chance meeting with an unhappy princess for whom I once had a passing fancy, before I was lucky enough to meet you, has affected me a little, I admit. But you are so much more to me than she is, that I would rather die than leave you. Ah, prince, she said, can I believe that you really love me so much? Time will show, madam, replied the king, but if you wish to convince me that you have some regard for me, do not, I beg of you, refuse to aid Belisimwa. Do you know what you are asking? said the fairy of the desert, frowning and looking at him suspiciously. Do you want me to employ my art against the Yellow Dwarf, who is my best friend, and take away from him a proud princess, whom I can but look upon as a rival? The king sighed, but made no answer, indeed what was there to be said to such a clear-sighted person? At last they reached a vast meadow, gay with all sorts of flowers, a deep river surrounded it, and many little brooks murmured softly under the shady trees, where it was always cool and fresh. A little way off stood a splendid palace, the walls of which were of transparent emeralds. As soon as the swans, which drew the fairy's chariot, had alighted under a porch, which was paved with diamonds and had arches of rubies, they were greeted on all sides by thousands of beautiful beings, who came to meet them joyfully singing these words. When love within a heart would reign, useless to strive against him tis, the proud but feeilish sharper pain, and make greater triumph his. The fairy of the desert was delighted to hear them sing of her triumphs. She led the king into the most splendid room that can be imagined, and left him alone for a little while, just that he might not feel that he was a prisoner. But he felt sure that she had not really gone quite away, but was watching him from some hiding place. So walking up to a great mirror, he said to it, Trustee Counselor, let me see what I can do to make myself agreeable to the charming fairy of the desert, for I can think of nothing but how to please her. And he at once set to work to curl his hair, and sing upon a table, a grander coat than his own, he put it on carefully. The fairy came back so delighted, that she could not conceal her joy. I am quite aware of the trouble you have taken to please me, said she, and I must tell you that you have succeeded perfectly already. You see it is not difficult to do if you really care for me. The king, who had his own reasons for wishing to keep the old fairy in a good humor, did not spare pretty speeches, and after a time he was allowed to walk by himself upon the seashore. The fairy of the desert had by her enchantments raised such a terrible storm that the boldest pilot would not venture out in it, so she was not afraid of her prisoners being able to escape. And he found it some relief to think sadly over his terrible situation, without being interrupted by his cruel captor. Presently, after walking wildly up and down, he wrote these verses upon the sand with his stick. At last may I upon this shore lighten my sorrow with soft tears, alas, alas, I see no more, my love who yet my sadness cheers. And thou, O raging stormy sea, stirred by wild winds from death to height, thou holdest my love one far from me, and I am captive to thy might. My heart is still more wild than thine, for fate is cruel unto me. Why must I thus in exile pine? Why is my princess snatched from me? All lovely nymphs from ocean caves, who know how sweet true love may be, come up and calm the furious waves, and set my desperate lover free. While he was still writing, he heard a voice which attracted his attention in spite of himself. Seeing that the waves were rolling in higher and higher, he looked all around and presently saw a lovely lady floating gently toward him upon the crest of a huge billow. Her long hair spread all about her. In one hand she held a mirror, and in the other a comb. At instead of feet she had a beautiful tail like a fish, with which she swam. The king was struck dumb with astonishment at this unexpected sight, but as soon as she came within speaking distance she said to him, I know how sad you are at losing your princess, and being kept a prisoner by the ferry of the desert. If you like, I will help you to escape from this fatal place, where you may otherwise have to drag on a weary existence for thirty years or more. The king of the gold mines hardly knew what answer to make to this proposal. Not because he did not wish very much to escape, but he was afraid that this might be only another device by which the ferry of the desert was trying to deceive him. As he hesitated, the mermaid who guessed his thoughts said to him, You may trust me, I am not trying to entrap you. I am so angry with the yellow dwarf and the ferry of the desert, that I am not likely to wish to help them, especially since I constantly see your poor princess, whose beauty and goodness make me pity her so much. And I tell you that if you will have confidence in me, I will help you to escape. I trust you absolutely, cried the king, and I will do whatever you tell me. But if you have seen my princess, I beg of you to tell me how she is, and what is happening to her. We must not waste time in talking, said she. Come with me, and I will carry you to the castle of steel, and we will leave upon this shore of figures so like you, that even the ferry herself will be deceived by it. So saying, she quickly collected a bundle of seaweed, and blowing it three times, she said, My friendly seaweeds, I order you to stay here stretched upon the sand, until the ferry of the desert comes to take you away. And at once the seaweeds became like the king, who stood looking at them in great astonishment, for they were even dressed in a coat like his, but they lay their pale and still as the king himself might have lain if one of the great waves had overtaken him and thrown him senseless upon the shore. And then the mermaid caught up the king, and away they swam joyfully together. Now, said she, I have time to tell you about the princess. In spite of the blow which the ferry of the desert gave her, the yellow dwarf compelled her to mount behind him upon his terrible Spanish cat. But she soon fainted away with pain and terror, and did not recover till they were within the walls of his frightful castle of steel. Here she was received by the prettiest girls it was possible to find, who had been carried there by the yellow dwarf, who hastened to wait upon her and showed her every possible attention. She was laid upon a couch covered with cloth of gold, embroidered with pearls as big as nuts. Ah, interrupt the king of the gold mines. If Belisima forgets me, and consents to marry him, I shall break my heart. You need not be afraid of that, answered the mermaid. The princess thinks of no one but you, and the frightful dwarf cannot persuade her to look at him. Pray go on with your story, said the king. What more is there to tell, replied the mermaid. Belisima was sitting in the wood when you passed, and saw you with the ferry of the desert, who was so cleverly disguised that the princess took her to be prettier than herself. You may imagine her despair, for she thought that you had fallen in love with her. She believes that I love her? cried the king. What a fatal mistake! What is to be done to un-deceive her? You know best, answered the mermaid, smiling kindly at him. When people are in as much love as one another as you two are, they don't need advice from anyone else. As she spoke, they reached the castle of steel, the side next to the sea being the only one which the yellow dwarf had left unprotected by the dreadful burning walls. I know quite well, said the mermaid, that the princess is sitting by the brookside, just where you saw her as you passed, but as you will have many enemies to fight with before you can reach her, take this sword, arm with it, you may dare any danger and overcome the greatest difficulties. Only beware of one thing, that is, never to let it fall from your hand. Farewell, now I will wait by that rock, and if you need my help in carrying off your beloved princess, I will not fail you, for the queen, her mother, is my best friend, and it was for her sake that I went to rescue you. So saying, she gave to the king a sword made of a single diamond, which was more brilliant than the sun. He could not find words to express his gratitude, but he begged her to believe that he fully appreciated the importance of her gift, and would never forget her help and kindness. We must now go back to the ferry of the desert. When she found that the king did not return, she hastened out to look for him, and reached the shore with a hundred of the ladies of her train, loaded with splendid presents for him. Some carried baskets full of diamonds, other golden cups of wonderful workmanship, and amber, coral, and pearls. Others again balanced upon their heads bales of the richest and most beautiful stuffs, while the rest brought fruit and flowers and even birds. But what was the horror of the ferry, who followed this gauged troupe when she saw a stretched upon the sands, the image of the king which the mermaid had made with the seaweeds. Struck with astonishment and sorrow, she uttered a terrible cry, and threw herself down beside the pretended king, weeping and howling and culling upon her eleven sisters, who were also fairies, who came to her assistance. But they were all taken in by the image of the king, for clever as they were, the mermaid was still cleverer. And all they could do was to help the ferry of the desert to make a wonderful monument over what they thought was the grave of the king of the gold mines. But while they were collecting jasper and periphery, agate and marble, golden bronze, statues, and devices to immortalize the king's memory, he was thanking the good mermaid and begging her still to help him, which she egressively promised to do as she disappeared. And then he set out for the castle of steel. He walked fast, looking anxiously round him, and longing once more to see his darling Belisima. But he had not gone far before he was surrounded by four terrible sphinxes, who would very soon have torn him to pieces with her sharp talons, if it had not been for the mermaid's diamond sword. For no sooner had he flashed it before their eyes, then down they fell at his feet quite helpless, and he killed them with one blow. But he had hardly turned to continuous search, when he met six dragons covered with scales that were harder than iron. Frightful as this encounter was, the king's courage was unshaken. And by the aid of his wonderful sword he cut them in pieces one after the other. Now he hoped his difficulties were over, but at the next turning he was met by one which he did not know how to overcome. Falling twenty pretty and graceful nymphs advanced toward him, holding garlands of flowers, with which they barred the way. Where are you going, prince? they said. It is our duty to guard this place, and if we let you pass, great misfortunes will happen to you and us. We beg you not to insist upon going on. Do you want to kill four and twenty girls who have never displeased you in any way? The king did not know what to do or to say. But as he hesitated, a voice in his ear said, strike, strike and do not spare, or your princess is lost forever. So without reply to the nymphs he rushed forward instantly, breaking the garlands and scattering them in all directions, and then went on without further hindrance to the little wood where he had seen Belisima. She was seated by the brook looking pale in a weary when he reached her, and he would have thrown himself down at her feet, but she drew herself away from him, with as much indignation as if he had been the Yellow Dwarf. Ah, princess! he cried. Do not be angry with me. Let me explain everything. I am not faithless or to blame for what has happened. I am a miserable wretch who has displeased you without being able to help myself. Ah, cried Belisima, did I not see you flying through the air with a loveliest being imaginable? Was that against your will? Indeed it was, princess, he answered. The wicked fairy of the desert, not content with chanting me to a rock, carried me off in her chariot to the other end of the earth, where I should even now be a captive but for the unexpected help of a friendly mermaid, who brought me here to rescue you, my princess, from the unworthy hands that hold you. Do not refuse the aid of your most faithful lover. So saying, he threw himself at her feet, and held her by her robe. But alas, in so doing he let fall the magic sword, and the Yellow Dwarf who is crouching behind a lettuce, no sooner saw it than he sprang out and seized it well knowing its wonderful power. The princess gave a cry of terror on seeing the Dwarf, but this only irritated the little monster, muttering a few magical words he summoned two giants who bound the king with great chains of iron. Now, said the Dwarf, I am master of my rival's fate, but I will give him his life and permission to depart unharmed if you, princess, will consent to marry me. Me? Let me die a thousand times rather, cry the unhappy king. Alas, cried the princess, must you die? Could anything be more terrible that you should marry that little wretch would be far more terrible, answered the king. At least, continued she, let us die together. Let me have the satisfaction of dying for you, my princess, said he. Oh, no, no, she cried, turning to the Dwarf, rather than I will do as you wish. Cruel princess, said the king, would you make my life horrible to me by marrying another before my eyes? Not so, replied the Yellow Dwarf, you are a rival of whom I am too much afraid. You shall not see our marriage. So, saying, in spite of Belucema's tears and cries, he stabbed the king to the heart with a diamond sword. The poor princess, seeing her lover lying dead at her feet, could no longer live without him. She sank down by him and died of a broken heart. So ended these unfortunate lovers, whom not even the mermaid could help, because all the magic power had been lost with a diamond sword. As for the wicked Dwarf, he preferred to see the princess dead rather than marry to the king of the gold mines, and the ferry of the desert when she heard of the king's adventures, pulled down the grand monument which she had built, and was so angry at the trick that had been played her, that she hated him as much as she had loved him before. The kind mermaid, grieved at the sad fate of the lovers, caused them to be changed into two palm trees, which stand always side by side, whispering together of their faithful love, and caressing one another with her interlacing branches. End of Story. Recording by Ed Good. One upon a time there lived in a certain village a little country girl, the prettiest creature was ever seen. Her mother was excessively fond of her, and her grandmother doted on her still more. This good woman had made for her a little red riding-hood, which became the girl so extremely well that everybody called her little red riding-hood. One day her mother, having made some custard, said to her, Go, my dear, and see how thy grandmother does, for I hear she has been very ill. Carry her a custard, and this little pot of butter. Little red riding-hood set out immediately to go to her grandmother, who lived in another village. As she was going through the wood, she met with Gaffa Wolfe, who had a very great mind to eat her up, but he dared not because of some faggot-makers hard-buy in the forest. He asked her whether she was going. The poor child, who did not know that it was dangerous to stay and hear a Wolfe talk, said to him, I am going to see my grandma, and carry her a custard and a little pot of butter from my mama. Does she live far off? asked the Wolfe. Oh, I! answered little red riding-hood. It is beyond that mill you see there, at the first house in the village. Well, said the Wolfe, and I'll go and see her, too. I'll go this way, and you go that, and we shall see who will be there the soonest. The Wolfe began to run as fast as he could, taking the nearest way, and the little girl went by that farthest about, diverting herself in gathering nuts, running after butterflies, and making nosegays of such little flowers as she met with. The Wolfe was not long before he got to the old woman's house. He knocked at the door, tap, tap. Who's there? Your grandchild, little red riding-hood, replied the Wolfe, counter-fitting her voice, who has brought you a custard and a little pot of butter sent you by mama. The good grandmother, who was in bed because she was somewhat ill, cried out, Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up. The Wolfe pulled the bobbin, and the door opened, and then presently he fell upon the good woman, and ate her up in a moment, for it was above three days that he had not touched a bit. Then he shut the door, and went into the grandmother's bed, expecting little red riding-hood, who came some time afterward and knocked at the door, tap, tap. Who's there? Little red riding-hood, hearing the big voice of the Wolfe, was at first afraid, but believing her grandmother had got a cold and was hoarse, answered, It is your grandchild, little red riding-hood, who has brought you a custard and a little pot of butter mama sends you. The Wolfe cried out to her, softening his voice as much as he could, Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up. Little red riding-hood pulled the bobbin, and the door open. The Wolfe, seeing her come in, said to her, hiding himself under the bed-clothes, Put the custard and the little pot of butter upon the stool, and come and lie down with me. Little red riding-hood undressed herself, and went into bed, where, being greatly amazed to see how her grandmother looked in her night-clothes, she said to her, Grand Mama, what great arms you have got! That is the better to hug thee, my dear. Grand Mama, what great legs you have got! That is to run the better, my child. Grand Mama, what great ears you have got! What is the better to hear, my child? Grand Mama, what great eyes you have got! It is to see the better, my child. Grand Mama, what great teeth you have got! That is to eat thee up! And, saying these words, this wicked Wolfe fell upon Little Red Riding Hood and ate her all up. End of Little Red Riding Hood. The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood There were formerly a king and a queen, who were so sorry that they had no children, so sorry that it cannot be expressed. They went to all the waters in the world, vows, pilgrimages, always were tried, and all to no purpose. At last, however, the queen had a daughter. There was a very fine christening, and the princess had for her god-mothers all the fairies they could find in the whole kingdom, they found seven, that every one of them might give her a gift, as was the custom of fairies in those days. By this means, the princess had all the perfections imaginable. After the ceremonies of the christening were over, all the company returned to the king's palace, where it was prepared a great feast for the fairies. There was placed before every one of them a magnificent cover with a case of massive gold, wherein were a spoon, knife, and fork, all of pure gold set with diamonds and rubies. But as they were all sitting down at table, they saw come into the hall a very old fairy, whom they had not invited, because it was above fifty years since she had been out of a certain tower, and she was believed to be either dead or enchanted. The king ordered her a cover, but could not furnish her with a case of gold as the others, because they had only seven made for the seven fairies. The old fairy fancied she was slighted, and muttered some threats between her teeth. One of the young fairies, who sat by her overheard how she grumbled, and judging that she might give the little princess some unlucky gift, went as soon as they rose from table, and hid herself behind the hangings, that she might speak last, and repair, as much as she could, the evil which the old fairy might intend. In the meanwhile, all the fairies began to give their gifts to the princess. The youngest gave her for gift, that she should be the most beautiful person in the world. The next, that she should have the wit of an angel. The third, that she should have a wonderful grace in everything she did. The fourth, that she should dance perfectly well. The fifth, that she should sing like a nightingale. And the sixth, that she should play all kinds of instruments to the utmost perfection. The old fairy's turn coming next, with a head shaking more with spite than age, she said that the princess should have her hand pierced with a spindle and die of the wound. This terrible gift made the whole company tremble, and everybody fell crying. At this very instant the young fairy came out from behind the hangings, and spake these words aloud. Assure yourselves, O king and queen, that your daughter shall not die of this disaster. It is true, I have no power to undo entirely what my elder has done. The princess shall indeed pierce her hand with a spindle, but instead of dying she shall only fall into a profound sleep which shall last a hundred years, at the expiration of which a king's son shall come and awake her. The king, to avoid the misfortune foretold by the old fairy, caused immediately proclamation to be made, whereby everybody was forbidden on pain of death to spin with a distuff and spindle, or to have so much as any spindle in their houses. About fifteen or sixteen years after the king and queen being gone to one of their houses of pleasure, the young princess happened one day to divert herself in running up and down the palace. When going up from one apartment to another she came into a little room on the top of the tower, where a good old woman alone was spinning with her spindle. This woman had never heard of the king's proclamation against spindles. What are you doing there, goodie? said the princess. I am spinning, my pretty child, said the old woman, who did not know who she was. Ha! said the princess. This is very pretty. How do you do it? Give it to me that I may see if I can do so. She had no sooner taken it into her hand than whether being very hasty at it, somewhat unhandy, or that the decree of the fairy had so ordained it, it ran into her hand and she fell down in a swoon. The good old woman, not knowing very well what to do in this affair, cried out for help. People came in from every quarter in great numbers. They threw water upon the princess's face, unlaced her, struck her on the palms of her hands, and rubbed her temples with hungry water. But nothing could bring her to herself. And now the king, who came up at the noise, bethought himself of the prediction of the fairies, and judging very well that this must necessarily come to pass, since the fairies had said it, caused the princess to be carried into the finest apartment in his palace, and to be laid upon a bed all embroidered with gold and silver. One would have taken her for a little angel. She was so very beautiful. For her swooning away had not diminished one bit of her complexion. Her cheeks were carnation, and her lips were coral. Indeed, her eyes were shut, but she was heard to breathe softly, which satisfied those about her that she was not dead. The king commanded that they should not disturb her, but let her sleep quietly till her hour of awakening was come. The good fairy, who had saved her life by condemning her to sleep a hundred years, was in the kingdom of Madakin, twelve thousand leagues off, when this accident befell the princess. But she was instantly informed of it by a little dwarf, who had boots of seven leagues, that is, boots with which he could tread over seven leagues of ground in one stride. The fairy came away immediately, and she arrived about an hour later in a fiery chariot, drawn by dragons. The king handed her out of the chariot, and she approved everything he had done. But as she had very great foresight, she thought when the princess should awake, she might not know what to do with herself, being all alone in this old palace, and this was what she did. She touched with her wand everything in the palace, except the king and queen. Governesses, maids of honor, ladies of the bed-chamber, gentlemen, officers, stewards, cooks, under-cooks, scullions, guards with their beef-eaters, pages, footmen. She likewise touched all the horses, which were in the stables, pads as well as others, the great dogs in the outward court, and pretty little mobsy, too, the princess's little spaniel, which lay by her on the bed. Immediately upon her touching them, they all fell asleep, that they might not awake before their mistress, and that they might be ready to wait upon her when she wanted them. The very spits at the fire, as full as they could hold of partridges and pheasants, did fall asleep also. All this was done in a moment. Fairies are not long in doing their business. And now the king and the queen, having kissed their dear child without waking her, went out of the palace and put forth a proclamation that nobody should dare to come near it. This, however, was not necessary. For in a quarter of an hour's time there grew up all around the park such a vast number of trees, great and small, bushes and brambles, twining one within another, that neither man nor beast could pass through, so that nothing could be seen, but the very top of the towers of the palace, and that, too, not unless it was a good way off. Nobody doubted, but the fairy gave herein a very extraordinary sample of her art, that the princess, while she continued sleeping, might have nothing to fear from any curious people. When a hundred years were gone and past, the son of the king then reigning, and who was of another family from that of the sleeping princess, being gone hunting on that side of the country, asked what those towers were which he saw in the middle of a great thick wood. Everyone answered according as they had heard, some said that it was a ruinous old castle haunted by spirits, others that all the sorcerers and witches of the country kept there their Sabbath or night's meeting. The common opinion was that an ogre lived there and that he carried thither all the little children he could catch that he might eat them up at his leisure, without anybody being able to follow him as having himself only the power to pass through the wood. The prince was at a stand, not knowing what to believe, when a very good countryman spake to him thus, may it please your royal highness, it is now about fifty years since I heard from my father, who heard my grandfather say, that there was then in this castle a princess, the most beautiful was ever seen, that she must sleep there a hundred years and should be waked by a king's son for whom she was reserved. The young prince was all on fire at these words, believing without weighing the matter, that he could put an end to this rare adventure, and pushed on by love and honor, resolved that moment to look into it. Scarce had he advanced toward the wood, when all the giant trees, the bushes, and brambles gave way of themselves to let him pass through. He walked up to the castle, which he saw at the end of a large avenue which he went into, and what a little surprised him was that he saw none of his people could follow him, because the trees closed again as soon as he had passed through them. However, he did not cease from continuing his way, a young and amorous prince is always valiant. He came into a spacious onward court, where everything he saw might have frozen the most fearless person with horror. There reigned all over a most frightful silence. The image of death everywhere showed itself, and there was nothing to be seen but stretched out bodies of men and animals, all seeming to be dead. He, however, very well knew, by the ruby faces and pimpled noses of the beef-eaters, that they were only asleep, and their goblets, wherein still remained some drops of wine, showed plainly that they fell asleep in their cups. He then crossed a court paved with marble, went up the stairs, and came into the guard chamber, where guards were standing in their ranks, with their muskets upon their shoulders, and snoring as loud as they could. After that he went through several rooms full of gentlemen and ladies all asleep, some standing, others sitting. At last he came into a chamber all gilded with gold, where he saw upon a bed, the curtains of which were all open, the finest sight was ever beheld. A princess, who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years of age, and whose bright and in a manner resplendent beauty had somewhat in it divine. He approached with trembling and admiration, and fell down upon his knees. And now, as the enchantment was at an end, the princess awaked, and looking on him with eyes more tender than the first view might seem to admit of. "'Is it you, my prince?' said she to him. "'You have waited a long while.' The prince, charmed with these words, and much more with the manner in which they were spoken, knew not how to show his joy and gratitude. He assured her that he loved her better than he did himself. Their discourse was not well connected. They did weep more than talk. Little eloquence, a great deal of love. He was more at a loss than she, and we need not wonder at it. She had time to think on what to say to him, for it is very probable, though history mentions nothing of it, that the good fairy, during so long a sleep, had given her very agreeable dreams. In short, they talked four hours together, and yet they said not half what they had to say. In the meanwhile all the palace awaked. Everyone thought upon their particular business, and as all of them were not in love, they were ready to die for hunger. The chief lady of honour, being as sharp-set as other folks, grew very impatient, and told the princess aloud that supper was served up. The prince helped the princess to rise. She was entirely dressed and very magnificently, but his royal highness took care not to tell her that she was dressed like his great-grandmother, and had a point-band peeping over a high collar. She looked not a bit less charming and beautiful for all that. They went into the great hall of looking-glasses where they supped, and were served by the princess's officers. The violins and hoboys played old tunes, but very excellent, though it was now above a hundred years since they had played. But after supper, without losing any time, the Lord Almoner married them in the chapel of the castle, and the chief lady of honour drew the curtains. They had but very little sleep. The princess had no occasion, and the prince left her next morning to return to the city where his father must needs have been in pain for him. The prince told him that he lost his way in the forest as he was hunting, and that he had lain in the cottage of a charcoal burner who gave him cheese and brown bread. The king, his father, who was a good man, believed him. But his mother could not be persuaded it was true, and seeing that he went almost every day hunting, and that he always had some excuse ready for so doing, though he had lain out three or four nights together, she began to suspect that he was married. For he lived with the princess about two whole years and had by her two children, the eldest of which, who was a daughter, was named mourning, and the youngest, who was a son, they called a day because he was a great deal handsomer and more beautiful than his sister. The queen spoke several times to her son to inform herself after what manner he did pass his time, and that in this he ought in duty to satisfy her. But he never dared to trust her with his secret. He feared her, though he loved her, for she was of the race of the ogres, and the king would never have married her had it not been for her vast riches. It was even whispered about the court that she had ogreish inclinations, and that whenever she saw little children passing by she had all the difficulties in the world to avoid falling upon them. And so the prince would never tell her one word. But when the king was dead, which happened about two years afterward, and he saw himself lord and master, he openly declared his marriage, and he went in great ceremony to conduct his queen to the palace. They made a magnificent entry into the capital city, she riding between her two children. Soon after, the king went to make war with the emperor of Kantalaput, his neighbor. He left the government of the kingdom to the queen his mother, and earnestly recommended to her care his wife and wife. He was obliged to continue his expedition all the summer, and as soon as he departed the queen mother sent her daughter-in-law to a country house among the woods that she might with the more ease gratify her horrible longing. Some few days afterward she went thither herself and said to her clerk of the kitchen, I have a mind to eat little morning for my dinner to-morrow. Ah, madam! cried the clerk of the kitchen. I will have it so, replied the queen, and this she spoke in the tone of an ogreess who had a strong desire to eat fresh meat, and will eat her with a sauce, Robert. The poor man, knowing very well that he must not play tricks with ogreesses, took his great knife and went up into little morning's chamber. She was then four years old, and came up to him jumping and laughing, to take him about the neck, and ask him for some sugar-candy. Upon which he began to weep. The great knife fell out of his hand, and he went into the back yard, and killed a little lamb, and dressed it with some good sauce, that his mistress assured him that she had never eaten anything so good in her life. He had at the same time taken up little morning, and carried her to his wife, to conceal her in the lodging he had at the bottom of the courtyard. About eight days afterward the wicked queen said to the clerk of the kitchen, I will sup on little day. He answered not a word, being resolved to cheat her as he had done before. He went to find out little day, and saw him with a little foil in his hand, with which he was fencing with a great monkey, the child being then only three years of age. He took him up in his arms and carried him to his wife, that she might conceal him in her chamber along with his sister, and in the room of little day cooked up a young kid, very tender, which the ogres found to be wonderfully good. This was hitherto all mighty well, but one evening this wicked queen said to her clerk of the kitchen, I will eat the queen with the same sauce I had with her children. It was now that the poor clerk of the kitchen, despaired of being able to deceive her, the young queen was turned of twenty, not reckoning the hundred years she had been asleep. And now to find in the yard a beast so firm was what puzzled him. He took then a resolution that he might save his own life to cut the queen's throat, and going up into her chamber with intent to do it at once he put himself into as great fury as he could possibly, and came into the young queen's room with his dagger in his hand. He would not, however, surprise her, but told her, with a great deal of respect, the orders he had received from the queen mother. Do it, do it! said she, stretching out her neck, execute your orders, and then I shall go and see my children, my poor children, whom I so much and so tenderly love, for she thought them dead ever since they had been taken away without her knowledge. No, no, madam, cried the poor clerk of the kitchen all in tears, you shall not die, and yet you shall see your children again, but then you must go home with me at my lodgings, where I have concealed them, and I shall deceive the queen once more by giving her in your stead a young hind. Upon this he forthwith conducted her to his chamber, where, leaving her to embrace her children and cry along with them, he went and dressed a young hind, which the queen had for her supper, and devoured it with the same appetite as if it had been the young queen. Exceedingly was she delighted with her cruelty, and she had invented a story to tell the king, at his return, how the mad wolves had eaten up the queen his wife and her two children. One evening, as she was, according to her custom, rambling round about the courts and yards of the palace to see if she could smell any fresh meat, she heard in a ground room little day crying, for his mama was going to whip him, because he had been naughty, and she heard, at the same time, little morning begging pardon for her brother. The ogres presently knew the voice of the queen and her children, and being quite mad that she had been thus deceived, she commanded next morning by break of day with the most horrible voice, which made everybody tremble, that they should bring into the middle of the great court a large tub, which she caused to be filled with toads, vipers, snakes, and all sorts of serpents, in order to have thrown into it the queen and her children, the clerk of the kitchen, his wife and maid, all whom she had given orders should be brought thither with her hands tied behind them. They were brought out accordingly, and the executioners were just going to throw them into the tub, when the king, who was not so soon expected, entered the court on horseback, for he came post, and asked, with the utmost astonishment, what was the meaning of this horrible spectacle? No one dared to tell him. When the ogres, all enraged to see what had happened, threw herself head foremost into the tub, and was instantly devoured by the ugly creatures she had ordered to be thrown into it for others. The king could not but be very sorry, for she was his mother, but he soon comforted himself with his beautiful wife and his pretty children. And of The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood from the Blue Fairy Book Cinderella or the Little Glass Slipper of the Blue Fairy Book This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lane. Chapter 7 Cinderella or the Little Glass Slipper Once there was a gentleman who married for his second wife, the proudest and most haughty woman that ever was seen. She had, by a former husband, two daughters of her own humour, who were, indeed, exactly like her in all things. He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, but of unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world. No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over, but the mother-in-law began to show herself in her true colours. She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl, and the less because they made her own daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in the meanest work of the house. She scaled the dishes, tables, etc., and scrubbed madam's chamber, and those of Mrs., her daughters. She lay up in a sorry garret upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms, with floors all inlaid upon beds of the very newest fashion, and where they had looking glasses so large that they might see themselves at their full length from head to foot. The poor girl bore all patiently and dared not tell her father, who would have rattled her off, for his wife governed him entirely. When she had done her work, she used to go into the chimney corner and sit down among cinders and ashes, which made her commonly be called Cinderwench. But the youngest, who was not so rude and uncivil as the eldest, called her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, notwithstanding her mean apparel, was a hundred times handsomer than her sisters, though they were always dressed very richly. It happened that the king's son gave a ball and invited all persons of fashion to it. Our young missus were also invited, for they cut a very grand figure among the quality. They were mightily delighted at this invitation, and wonderfully busy in choosing out such gowns, petticoats, and head clothes as might become them. This was a new trouble to Cinderella, for it was she who ironed her sister's linen and plaited their ruffles. They talked all day long of nothing but how they should be dressed. For my part, said the eldest, I will wear my red velvet suit, with French trimming. And I, said the youngest, shall have my usual petticoat, but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered manteau and the diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world. They sent for the best tire woman they could get to make up their headdresses and adjust their double pinners, and they had their red brushes and patches from Mademoiselle de la Poche. Cinderella was likewise called up to them to be consulted in all these matters, for she had excellent notions, and advised them always for the best. Nay, and offered her services to dress their heads, which they were very willing she should do. As she was doing this, they said to her, Cinderella, would you not be glad to go to the ball? Alas, said she, you only cheer me. It is not for such as I am to go thither. Thou art, in the right of it, replied they. It would make the people laugh to see a cinduhench at a ball. Anyone but Cinderella would have dressed their heads aury, but she was very good, and dressed them perfectly well. They were almost two days without eating. So much were they transported with joy. They broke above a dozen laces in trying to be laced up close, that they might have a fine slender shape. And they were continually at their looking glass. At last the happy day came. They went to court, and Cinderella followed them with her eyes as long as she could. And when she had lost sight of them, she felt a crying. Her godmother, who saw her all in tears, asked her what was the matter. I wish I could, I wish I could, she was not able to speak the rest, being interrupted by her tears and sobbing. This godmother of hers, who was a fairy, said to her, Thou wisest, Thou couldst go to the ball. Is it not so? Yes, cried Cinderella, with a great sigh. Well, said her godmother, be but a good girl, and I will contrive that Thou shalt go. Then she took her into her chamber and said to her, running to the garden and bring me a pumpkin. Cinderella went immediately to gather the finest she could get and brought it to her godmother, not being able to imagine how this pumpkin could make her go to the ball. Her godmother scooped out all the inside of it, having left nothing but the rind, which done she struck it with her wand, and the pumpkin was instantly turned into a fine coach, fielded all over with gold. She then went to look into her mousetrap, where she found six mice, all alive, and ordered Cinderella to lift up a little the trapdoor. When giving each mouse, as it went out, a little tap with her wand, the mouse was that moment turned into a fine horse, which altogether made a very fine set of six horses, a beautiful mouse-coloured dapple grey. Being at a loss for a coachman, I will go and see, says Cinderella, if there is never a rat in the rat trap. We may make a coachman of him. Thou art in the right, replied her godmother, go and look. Cinderella brought the trap to her, and in it there were three huge rats. The fairy made choice of one of the three, which had the largest beard, and, having touched him with her wand, he was turned into a fat jolly coachman, who had the smartest whisker's eyes ever beheld. After that, she said to her, go again into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the watering pot. Bring them to me. She had no sooner done so, but her godmother turned them into six footmen, who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their liveries all bedorbed with gold and silver, and clung as close behind each other as if they had done nothing else their whole lives. The fairy then said to Cinderella, well, you see, here an equa page fit to go to the ball with, are you not pleased with it? Oh yes, cried she, but must I go thither as I am in these nasty rags? Her godmother only just touched her with her wand, and at the same instant, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all beset with jewels. This done, she gave her a pair of glass slippers, the prettiest in the whole world. Being thus decked out, she got up into her coach, but her godmother, above all things, commanded her not to stay till after midnight, telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horse's mice, her coachmen, a rat, her footmen, lizards, and her clothes become, just as they were before. She promised her godmother she would not fail of leaving the ball before midnight, and then away she drives. This guest able to contain herself for joy. The king's son, who was told that a great princess, whom nobody knew, was come, ran out to receive her. He gave her his hand as she alighted out of the coach, and led her into the ball, among all the company. There was immediately a profound silence. They left off dancing, and the violins ceased to play. So attentive was everyone to contemplate the singular beauties of the unknown newcomer. Nothing was then heard but a confused noise of, ha, how handsome she is, ha, how handsome she is. The king himself, old as he was, could not help watching her, and telling the queen softly that it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful and lovely a creature. All the ladies were busied in considering her clothes and headdress, that they might have some made next day after the same pattern, provided they could meet with such fine material and as able hands to make them. The king's son conducted her to the most honourable feat, and afterward took her out to dance with him. She danced so very gracefully that they all more and more admired her. A fine collation was served up, whereof the young prince ate not a mortal. So intently was he busied, engaging on her. She went and sat down by her sisters, showing them a thousand civilities, giving them part of the oranges and citrons, which the prince had presented her with, which very much surprised them, for they did not know her. While Cinderella was thus amusing her sisters, she heard the clock strike eleven and three-quarters, whereupon she immediately made a curtsy to the company and hasted away as fast as she could. When she got home, she ran to seek out her godmother, and after having thanked her, she said she could not but heartily wish she might go next day to the ball, because the king's son had desired her. As she was eagerly telling her godmother whatever had passed at the ball, her two sisters knocked at the door, which Cinderella ran and opened. How long you have stayed, cried she, gaping, rubbing her eyes and stretching herself as if she had been just waved out of her sleep. She had not, however, any manner of inclination to sleep, since they went from home. If theirs hadn't been at the ball, said one of her sisters, thou wouldst not have been tired with it. There came thither the finest princess, the most beautiful ever we seen, with mortal eyes. She showed us a thousand civilities and gave us oranges and citrons. Cinderella seemed very indifferent in the matter. Indeed, she asked them the name of that princess, but they told her they did not know it, and that the king's son was very uneasy on her account and would give all the world to know who she was. At this, Cinderella, smiling, replied, she must then be very beautiful indeed. How happy you have been! Could not I see her? Ah, dear Miss Charlotte, do lend me your yellow suit of clothes, which you wear every day. Ah, to be sure, cried Miss Charlotte, lend my clothes to such a dirty cinduhench as thou art, I should be a fool. Cinderella indeed expected well such answer and was very glad of the refusal, for she would have been sadly put to it if her sister had lent her what she asked for, justingly. The next day the two sisters were at the ball, and so was Cinderella, that dressed more magnificently than before. The king's son was always by her and never ceased his compliments and kind speeches to her, to whom all this was so far from being tiresome that she quite forgot what her grandmother had recommended to her. So that she, at last, counted the clock striking twelve when she took it to thee no more than eleven, she then rose up and fled, as nimble as a deer. The prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind one of her glass slippers, which the prince took up most carefully. She got home but quite out of breath, and in her nasty old clothes, having nothing left her of all her finery, but one of the little slippers. Fellow to that she dropped. The guards at the palace gate were asked if they had not seen a princess go out. Who said they had seen nobody go out but a young girl, very meanly dressed, and who had more the air of a poor country wench than a gentle woman? When the two sisters returned from the ball, Cinderella asked them if they had been well-diverted and if the fine lady had been there. They told her yes, but that she hurried away immediately when it struck twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass slippers. The prettiest in the world, which the king's son had taken up, that he had done nothing but look at her all the time at the ball, and that most certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful person who owned the glass slipper. What they said was very true, for a few days after the king's son caused it to be proclaimed by sound of trumpet, that he would marry her whose foot the slipper would just fit. They whom he employed began to try it upon the princesses. Then the duchesses and all the court, but in vain it was brought to the two sisters who did all they possibly could to thrust their foot into the slipper, but they could not affect it. Cinderella, who saw all this, and knew her slipper said to them, laughing, let me see if it will not fit me. Her sisters burst out laughing and began to banter her. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper looked earnestly at Cinderella, and finding her very handsome said, it was but just that she should try, and that he had orders to let everyone make trial. He obliged Cinderella to sit down, and putting the slipper to her foot, he found it went on very easily and fitted her as if it had been made of wax. The astonishment of her two sisters were in was excessively great, but still abundantly greater when Cinderella pulled out of her pocket the other slipper and put it on her foot. Thereupon in came her godmother, who, having touched with her wand, Cinderella's clothes made them richer and more magnificent than any of those she had before. And now her two sisters found her to be that fine, beautiful lady whom they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon for all the ill treatment they had made her undergo. Cinderella took them up, and as she embraced them, cried, that she forgave them with all her heart and desired them always to love her. She was conducted to the young prince, dressed as she was. He thought her more charming than ever, and a few days after married her. Cinderella, who was no less good than beautiful, gave her two sisters lodgings in the palace, and that very same day matched them with two great lords of the court. End of Chapter 7.