with the most beautiful pictures. It was. drawn
by twelve snow-white horses, harnessed four
abreast; their trappings, as were those of the
carriage, were of flame-colour, embroidered with
diamonds. Numerous guards followed all in
flame-coloured livery.
‘Go,’ said the White Cat, ‘and when you appear
before the king in such state, he will surely give
up his crown. Take this walnut, but do not open
it until you arrive at your destination, lest the
wind should blow away its contents, or mud from
the carriage wheels stain it.’
‘Lovely White Cat,’ said the Prince, ‘how can I
thank you sufficiently for your goodness to me?
Only tell me you desire it, and I will abandon the
thought of succeeding my father in his kingdom
and remain here with you.’
‘King’s son,’ she answered, ‘you have a good
heart to say this, and to care for a little white cat,
that is good for naught but catching mice; but
you must not stay. Good-bye.’
The Prince kissed her paw and departed.
The carriage spun along, faster than had travelled
the wooden horse ;, but this time the Prince arrived
so late that he found his brothers had already
proceeded to the palace to display the pieces of
muslin they had procured.
These were indeed very fine; they would pass
through a ring, and the eye of a packing needle:
but the king sent for a particular needle kept
among the Crown jewels that had an eye so small,
that every one saw at a glance that the stuffs pro-
vided could not possibly pass through it.
At that moment a flourish of trumpets was heard,
and the youngest son of the king entered. His
father and brothers were amazed at his magnifi-
cence, and after he had greeted them he produced
the walnut and opened it, fully expecting to find
the muslin. Instead of that he found a hazel-
217

THE
WHITE
CAT