with a little wand of hazel wood. It flew open, as did also all the others. They found the poor Princess very sad, who did not say a single word. The Queen threw herself upon her neck. "My dear child," said she to her, "I am thy mother, the Queen Joyeuse." She then related to her the history of her life. When Joliette heard so much good news, she was nearly dying with pleasure. She fell at the Queen's feet; she embraced her knees, moistened her hands with her tears, and kissed them a thousand times. She affectionately caressed the Fairy, who had brought her baskets full of valuable jewels, gold, diamonds, bracelets, pearls, and the portrait of King Joyeux, surrounded by precious stones, all of which she placed before her. "Let us lose no time," said the Fairy, "we must make a coup d'état; let us go into the great hall of the castle, and harangue the people." She walked first, with a grave and serious face, having on a dress with a train more than ten yards long, and the Queen in one of blue velvet, embroidered in gold, with a much longer train. (They had brought their robes of state with them.) They had also crowns upon their heads, as brilliant as suns. The Princess Joliette followed, distinguished by her marvellous beauty and modesty. They curtsied to all whom they met, gentle and simple. They were followed by crowds, anxious to know who these fine ladies could be. When the hall was quite full, the good Fairy told the wicked King's subjects that she would give them for a queen King Joyeux's daughter, whom they saw before them; that they would live very happy under her government; that, if they accepted her, she would find her a husband as perfect as herself, who would be always cheerful, and banish melancholy from every heart. At these words, every one exclaimed, "Yes, yes, she shall be our queen; we have been too long sad and miserable." At the same moment a hundred different instruments began to play on all sides, every one joined hands and danced a round,[1] singing to the Queen, her daughter, and the good Fairy:—"Yes! yes! she shall be our queen," &c. Such was their reception, and never was so much happiness known; they spread the tables, they ate,
- ↑ Rounds were dances in a ring, formed by the joined hands of the dancers, and amongst the oldest of such amusements, "Sellenger's Round" is said to be the earliest of which the air has descended to us. It has been traced up nearly to the reign of Henry VIII.
