any questions, "Acknowledge," said he, "that she is a prodigy of beauty, a miracle, a most accomplished princess." They made no answer, which astonished the Prince. "Having too much to say in praise of her," continued he, "you prefer remaining silent?" "My lord, you will see her yourself," said the boldest among them. "The fatigue of travelling has apparently altered her." The Prince was much surprised; had he not been so weak, he would have precipitated himself from his litter, to satisfy his impatience and his curiosity. The King descended from his litter, and, advancing with all his court, he joined the false Princess; but, the moment that he cast his eyes upon her, he gave a loud cry, and fell back some paces. "What do I see?" said he; "what perfidy?" "Sire," said the lady-in-waiting, boldly advancing, "this is the Princess Désirée with letters from the King and Queen. I also deliver into your hands the casket of jewels which they gave me on setting out."
The King heard all this in a sullen silence, and the Prince, leaning upon Becafigue, approached Longue-épine—Oh, ye gods! what became of him upon seeing this girl, whose extraordinary figure frightened him? She was so tall that the Princess's robes scarcely reached to her knees; she was frightfully thin; her nose, more hooked than that of a parrot, glowed with a fiery red; never had any teeth been blacker or more irregular; in short, she was as ugly as Désirée was beautiful.
The Prince, who was fully possessed with the charming notion of his Princess, was transfixed and immoveable at the sight of this woman—he had no power to speak a word, he looked at her with astonishment, and addressing himself to the King—"I am betrayed!" said he. "The wonderful portrait by which I was captivated is nothing like the person they have sent us; they have endeavoured to deceive us, and they have so far succeeded that it will cost me my life." "What do you mean, my Lord?" said Longue-épine; "they have sought to deceive you?—know that you will never be deceived in marrying me." Her effrontery and her pride were unexampled. The lady-in-waiting went even beyond this. "Ah! my beautiful Princess!" cried she, "where are we come to? Is this the way to receive a personage of your rank? What inconstancy, what behaviour! the King, your father, will have satisfaction for this." "It is we who will
