Page:History of Blue Beard.pdf/21

21 time; for the time is come in which the enchantment I suffer may be terminated; and I have some hopes that my appearance would not be much inferior to that of the ladies who may be presented by your brothers.

"You must, however," said she, "cut off my head and tail, and throw them into the fire."

"I!" said the prince, with horror, "I cut off your head and tail! you surely mean to try my gratitude and regard, which, believe me, will never be wanting."

The prince could not restrain his tears; yet he considered himself bound to execute the dreadful task. The white cat continued to press him so earnestly to perform this service for her, that with a reluctant hand he drew his sword, cut off her head and tail, and threw them into the fire. Immediately after he had done this, the most beautiful lady his eyes had ever seen stood before him; and he had not recovered sufficiently from his surprise to speak to her, when a long train of attendants, who had recovered their proper forms at the same instant with their mistress, came to offer their humble congratulations. She received them with great kindness, and when they had retired, she thus addressed the astonished prince:—

Do not imagine, my dear prince, that I have always been a cat, or that my parentage is obscure. My father was a monarch of six kingdoms; he loved my mother with extreme affection, leaving her always at the discretion of her own inclination. Her prevailing amusement was that of travelling; and a short time before I was born, having heard that some fairies were in possession of the most delicious fruits, she had so strong a desire to see these gardens, and to taste the fruit, that she immediately set out for the distant country in which they were to be found. She arrived at the abode of the fairies, which she found to be a magnificent palace glittering on every side with gold and jewels. She knocked at the gate some time, but no one came; nor could she perceive the least sign of any inhabitants. These circumstances only increased her desire. She saw the tops of the trees above the garden walls, and could perceive the tempting fruit with which they were loaded. The queen, unable to return home without the gratification she desired, ordered her attendants to place tents near the gate of the palace, as she was determined to watch for an opportunity of speaking to the persons who might pass in or out. One night, as she lay half asleep, she turned about, and opening her eyes, perceived a little old woman of ugly and deformed appearance, seated in the chair by her bed side.