Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/163

 "Don't be distressed, prince! Go alone and mingle with the guests, and I will follow after. When you hear a knocking and a commotion, say: 'That is my Froggie come in her little box.'"

Well, then, the elder brothers went to the ball with their wives, in their very best clothes and all their ornaments, and they stood around and made sport of Prince Ivan.

"How is it with you, brother? Did you come without your wife? Or did you bring her in your handkerchief? And where did you find such a beauty? Say, did you search through all the bogs?"

Suddenly a great knocking and commotion was heard—the whole palace shook. The guests were frightened to death; they jumped from their places and did not know what to do. But Prince Ivan said: "Don't be afraid, friends! That is my Froggie come in her little box."

Up to the king's front steps came flying a golden coach drawn by six horses, and out of it stepped Vasilisa the All-wise—so beautiful that she could not be imagined or conceived, nor even described in a story. She took Prince Ivan by the hand and led him behind the oaken tables, behind the checked linen tablecloths.