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 which was upholstered with delicate rose-coloured silk, and she was so excited that her godmother had to touch her on the arm to bring her to herself.

“Come along,” said the old woman, “or the ball will be over before you get there. I want a mouse or two. Run and see if there are any in the trap.”

Cinderella hastened into the kitchen and found that, by the greatest good luck, there were six live mice in the trap. There they were, running round and round the wire cage, and poking their little black muzzles through the bars.

“Open the trap just a little,” said the old woman, “and let them run out one by one.” Then, as each mouse came out, she gave it a tap with her stick, and each mouse was immediately changed into a fine horse. When she had finished there was a train of handsome steeds, all of a dappled mouse-grey colour, and so well trained that they immediately placed themselves between the shafts of the carriage, ready to be harnessed into place.

“Now we shall want a coachman,” said the old woman when this was done. What are we going to do for him, I wonder?”

“I know,” said Cinderella. “Perhaps there is a rat in the rat-trap. If so, he’ll make a very good coachman. I’ll go and see.”

Once again fortune favoured her. There were no less than three large rats in the rat-trap, and that was a very unusual thing.

“A very fine selection,” said the fairy godmother