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212 When the King saw them so lovely, and in such splendid dresses, he embraced them all tenderly, but caressed Merveilleuse more than he did the others.

A magnificent banquet was served up: the King and his three daughters sat down to table; and as it was his habit to draw inferences from everything, he said to the eldest, "Tell me, pray, why have you put on a green gown?" "Sire," she answered, "having heard of your achievements, I fancied that green would express the joy and hope with which your return inspired me." "That is very prettily said!" exclaimed the King. "And you, my child," he continued; "why do you wear a blue gown?" "My liege," said the Princess, "to indicate that we should unceasingly implore for you the protection of the Gods, and also that the sight of you is to me like that of heaven and all the starry host!" "You speak like an oracle!" said the King. "And you, Merveilleuse; what reason had you for dressing yourself in white?" "Because, Sire," she answered, "it becomes me better than any colour." "How!" cried the King, very much offended; "was that your only motive, you little coquette?" "My motive was to please you," said the Princess; "it appears to me that I ought to have no other." The King, who loved her dearly, was so perfectly satisfied with this explanation, that he declared himself much pleased by the little turn she had given to her meaning, and the art with which she had at first concealed the compliment. "There! there!" said he, "I have made an excellent supper. I shall not go to bed yet. Tell me what you all dreamed of the night before my return." The eldest said she dreamed that he had brought her a gown, the gold and jewels of which shone brighter than the sun. The second said she dreamed that he had brought her a golden distaff to spin herself some shifts with. The youngest said she dreamed that he had married her second sister, and that on the wedding-day he held a golden ewer, and said, "Merveilleuse, come hither and wash."

The King, indignant at this dream, knit his brow, and made an exceedingly wry face. Everybody saw he was very angry. He retired to his chamber, and flung himself into bed. He could not forget his daughter's dream. "This insolent little creature," said he, "would degrade me into her servant. I should not be surprised if she had put on white satin without