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152 shepherd, which she could not sufficiently praise. "How much am I to be pitied," said she, "degraded by nature to such an extent as I am! and how happy are those who are handsome!" In uttering these words, the tears came into her eyes; then, catching a glimpse of herself in a glass, she turned away suddenly; but was much astonished to see behind her a little old woman in a hood, who was half again as ugly as herself, and the bowl in which she pushed herself along had more than twenty holes in it, so much was it worn.

"Princess," said this little old woman to her, "you may have your choice between virtue and beauty. Your complaints are so touching that I have listened to them. If you choose to be handsome, you will be a coquette, vain and very gay. If you choose to remain as you are, you will be virtuous, respected, and very humble."

Trognon looked at the person who spoke to her, and asked her if beauty was incompatible with virtue.

"No," replied the good woman; "but, in your case, it is decreed that you can only possess one of the two." "Well, then," exclaimed Trognon firmly, "I prefer my ugliness to beauty." "How! you had rather frighten all those who look on you?" rejoined the old woman. "Yes, Madam," said the Princess; "I would rather choose to suffer all the misfortunes in the world than want virtue." "I brought with me, expressly for this purpose, my white and yellow muff," said the Fairy. "By blowing on the yellow side, you will become like that admirable shepherdess, who appeared so charming to you, and you will be beloved by a shepherd whose portrait has more than once arrested your attention. By blowing on the white side, you can ensure your continuance in the path of virtue, which you have so courageously entered." "Ah, Madam," replied the Princess, "do not refuse me this favour. It will console me for all the contempt with which I am treated."

The little old woman handed to her the muff of beauty and virtue. Trognon made no mistake about it. She blew upon the white side, and thanked the Fairy, who immediately disappeared.

The Princess was delighted at the good choice she had made; and whatever reason she had to envy the incomparable beauty of the shepherdess in the painted windows, she consoled herself with the thought that beauty passes like a