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 surely win the contest, for a prettier princess he had never seen in all his life.

"Let us enter the golden carriage which is waiting in front of the house," said the princess; "during our journey I will tell you more about myself." They entered the vehicle, and while Peter drove the horses, brandishing the whip over the animals to his heart's content, in boundless joy, the princess related her history: "My father was once a great and mighty king, and he lived happily with my mother, until she fell sick and died; whereupon my father married a queen who was a widow with one daughter. But this step-mother of mine was a witch, and when she realized that I was prettier than her own daughter, she was afraid that I might stand in her way. Therefore, she converted me into the shape of a white cat, and forced me to live alone in this large forest, until you came and released me. And so I have a twofold reason for liking you!" Peter looked at the young princess, and as she smiled sweetly at him, he stopped the horses in the middle of the forest to kiss her.

They soon reached the palace. On the front steps the old king and his two older sons, with their wives, were standing, anxious to know who could afford to drive in such luxury. When the carriage stopped below the steps they recognized Peter. He jumped from his seat, helping the princess to alight, and as soon as they had glanced at her they all admitted that she was the most