Page:Mother goose's fairy tales (1).pdf/16

16 FAIRY TALES What they said was very true; for a few days after, the king’s son caused it to be proclaimed by sound of trumpets that he would marry her whose foot this slipper would just fit. They whom he employed began to try it upon the princesses, then the duchesses, and all the court, but in vain; it was brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could to thrust their feet into the slipper, but they could not effect it. Cinderilla, who saw all this, and knew her slipper, said to them, laughing, Let me see if it will not fit me. Her sisters burst out a-laughing, and began to banter her. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper, looked earnestly at Cinderilla, and finding her very handsome, said, It was but just that she should try, and that he had orders to make every one make trial. He obliged Cinderilla to sit down, and putting the slipper to her foot, he found it went in very easily, and fitted her as if it had been made of wax. The astonishment her two sisters were in was excessively great, but still greater when Cinderilla pulled out of her pocket the other slipper, and put it on her foot. Thereupon in came her godmother, who having touched, with her wand, Cinderilla’s clothes, made them richer, and more magnificent than any of those she had before.

And now her two sisters found her to be that fine beautiful lady whom they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet, to beg pardon for the ill treatment they made her undergo. Cinderilla took them up, and, as she embraced, cried, That she forgave them with all her heart, and desired them always to love her. She was conducted to the young prince, dressed as she was, he thought her more charming than ever, and, a few days after married her. Cinderilla, who was no less good than beautiful, gave her two sisters lodging in the palace, and matched them with two great lords of the court.