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that when you grew up he might love you； and by
your care be restored to his natural form。 And you see
everything has come right； as I hoped it would。 Your
giving me the silver ring was the sign that the power of
the charm was nearly over； and my enemy's last chance
was to frighten you with her army of rats。 That she did
not succeed in doing； so now； my dear Felicia； if you will
be married to my son with this silver ring your future
happiness is certain。 Do you think him handsome and
amiable enough to be willing to marry him？〃
〃Madam；〃 replied Felicia； blushing； 〃you overwhelm
me with your kindness。 I know that you are my mother's
sister； and that by your art you turned the soldiers who
were sent to kill me into cabbages； and my nurse into a
hen； and that you do me only too much honor in proposing
that I shall marry your son。 How can I explain to you
the cause of my hesitation？ I feel； for the first time in my
life； how happy it would make me to be beloved。 Can
you indeed give me the Prince's heart？〃
〃It is yours already； lovely Princess！〃 he cried； taking
her hand in his； 〃but for the horrible enchantment which
kept me silent I should have told you long ago how dearly
I love you。
This made the Princess very happy； and the Queen；
who could not bear to see her dressed like a poor
shepherdess； touched her with her wand； saying：
〃I wish you to be attired as befits your rank and
beauty。〃 And immediately the Princess's cotton dress
became a magnificent robe of silver brocade embroidered
with carbuncles； and her soft dark hair was encircled by
a crown of diamonds； from which floated a clear white
veil。 With her bright eyes； and the charming color in her
cheeks； she was altogether such a dazzling sight that the
Prince could hardly bear it。
〃How pretty you are； Felicia！〃 he cried。 〃Don't keep
me in suspense； I entreat you； say that you will marry
me。〃
〃Ah！〃 said the Queen； smiling； 〃I think she will not
refuse now。〃
Just then Bruno； who was going back to his work； came
out of the cottage； and thought he must be dreaming
when he saw Felicia； but she called him very kindly； and
begged the Queen to take pity on him。
〃What！〃 she said； 〃when he was so unkind to you？〃
〃Ah！ madam；〃 said the Princess； 〃I am so happy that
I should like everybody else to be happy too。〃
The Queen kissed her； and said： 〃Well； to please you；
let me see what I can do for this cross Bruno。〃 And with
a wave of her wand she turned the poor little cottage into
a splendid palace； full of treasures； only the two stools and
the straw bed remained just as they were； to remind him
of his former poverty。 Then the Queen touched Bruno
himself； and made him gentle and polite and grateful； and
he thanked her and the Princess a thousand times。 Lastly；
the Queen restored the hen and the cabbages to their
natural forms； and left them all very contented。 The
Prince and Princess were married as soon as possible with
great splendor； and lived happily ever after。＇1＇
＇1＇ Fortunee。 Par Madame la Comtesse d'Aulnoy。