CINDER-
ELLA

lizards, and all your beautiful garments will revert
to the condition of dirty, patched rags.’
Cinderella promised her godmother to remember
what she had said, and to return most certainly
before midnight.
Then she started, with a heart bounding with joy.
When she arrived at the palace, it was announced
to the prince, the king’s son, that a lady in the
most splendid equipage ever seen was at the gates,
and that she would not give her name.
The prince at once ran out to salute her and
invite her to the ball. He gave her his hand to
help her to descend, and led her into the great hall
where the company was assembled.
Then a great silence fell on all. The dancers
ceased dancing, the musicians ceased playing, and
the gossips ceased gossiping, all were eager to see
the strange princess.
On all sides were heard whispers of, ‘What a
radiant beauty!—what superb jewels!—what an
exquisite dress—who could have been her milliner ?
—What a style in the doing of her hair—who could
have been her hairdresser ?—What wonderful
slippers, who could have been her shoemaker ?’
The king, although old, could hardly take his
eyes off her, and he whispered to the queen, that
except herself, he had never seen a greater beauty.
The queen, who was old and fat, accepted the
compliment gracefully, and smiled. All the ladies
observed Cinderella attentively, and endeavoured
to engrave in their memories every detail of her
dress, so as.to get their next ball-dresses made
like it. The son of the king seated Cinderella in
the most honourable place, danced with her, and
himself brought her refreshments. As for himself,
he could eat nothing, so taken up was he with
attention to her, and in admiration of her beauty.
Cinderella seated herself by her sisters, and was
very an to them. She gave them some of the
2