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348 I had found a protector in you," replied she; "my hope is gone, you have abandoned me; but the gods—the just gods—will not abandon me." "If you knew all that I have done to defend you from this marriage," added he, "you would be convinced of my friendship. Alas! Heaven gave me a son, whom I dearly loved; his mother nursed him. He was stolen one night from his cradle, and a cat was put in his place, who bit the Queen so cruelly that she died of it. If this sweet child had not been taken from me, he would now be the consolation of my old age; my subjects would fear him, and I should offer you my kingdom with him: the humpback, who now assumes the master, would have been happy to be allowed to remain at Court. I have lost that dear son, Princess, and the misfortune extends to you." "It is I alone," replied she, "who am the cause of what has happened to him. As his existence would have served me, he has perished. Sire, look upon me as guilty; and take my life, rather than marry me." "You were not of an age, beautiful Princess," said the King, "at that time, to do either good or ill to any one; I do not accuse you of causing my misfortunes; but if you would not increase them, prepare to receive my son kindly; for he has made himself the strongest here, and could do you most serious injury." She answered only by her tears. The King left her; and as the humpback was impatient to know what was passing, the King found him waiting in his chamber, and told him the Princess Carpillon consented to the marriage, and that he had given the necessary orders for it to be solemnised. The Prince was transported with joy; he thanked the King, and immediately sent for jewellers, merchants, and embroiderers. He bought the handsomest things in the world for his mistress, and sent her large golden baskets, filled with a thousand curiosities. She received them with some appearance of pleasure. He then paid her a visit and said to her, "Were you not very silly, Madam Carpillon, to refuse the honour I intended you? for, not to say anything of my amiability, I am considered very clever. I will give you so many dresses, so many diamonds, and so many fine things, that no queen in the world shall be comparable to you."

The Princess coolly replied, that the misfortunes of her royal house did not allow her to be adorned so much as