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Rh and Giroflée. The latter ran after her mistress, making the woods and rocks resound with her name and her own lamentations. The two others, enchanted at being at liberty, lost not a moment in executing their project. Longue-épine dressed herself in Désirée's richest apparel. The royal mantle, which had been made for her nuptials, was of unequal costliness, and the crown had diamonds in it twice or thrice as big as one's fist; the sceptre was composed of one single ruby; the globe which she held in her other hand, of a pearl larger than one's head: this was curious, and very heavy to carry; but it was necessary to persuade everybody that she was the Princess, and not omit displaying any one of the royal ornaments.

In this attire, followed by her mother, who held the train of her mantle, she set forth towards the city. The counterfeit princess walked gravely, not doubting some persons would come to receive them, and indeed they had scarcely made any progress when they perceived a large body of cavalry, and in the middle two litters glittering with gold and precious stones, drawn by mules ornamented with high plumes of green feathers—that was the Princess's favourite colour. The King who was in one, and the sick Prince in the other, knew not what to make of the ladies they perceived approaching them. The most eager of the royal train galloped forward, and judged by the magnificence of their dress that they ought to be persons of distinction. They alighted, and accosted them respectfully. "Oblige me by informing me," said Longue-épine to them, "who are in these litters?" "Ladies," replied they, "it is the King, and the Prince his son, who come to meet the Princess Désirée." "Go, I beg of you, and tell them she is here," continued she; "a fairy jealous of my good fortune, has dispersed all those who accompanied me by a hundred claps of thunder, lightning, and supernatural prodigies; but here is my lady-in-waiting, who has charge of letters from the King my father, and of my jewellery."

The cavaliers immediately kissed the hem of her robe, and hastened to inform the King of the Princess's arrival. "How!" cried he, "she comes on foot in broad daylight!" They related all she had told them. The Prince, burning with impatience, called them to him, and without asking them