Queen entered a little rock of crystal, the points of which were ornamented with gold and rubies. It was completely surrounded by curtains, in order that no one should see it, and carried by some very handsome young men superbly attired. The Prince remained in the chariot. He perceived his brothers walking with two Princesses, who were exceedingly beautiful. As soon as they recognised him, they advanced to receive him, and inquired, if he had brought a lady with him. He replied, that he had been so unfortunate throughout his journey as to have met with none but very ugly ones, and that the only rarity he had brought back with him was a little white cat. They began to laugh at his simplicity. "A cat!" they exclaimed; "are you afraid the mice will eat up our palace?" The Prince admitted that he had been rather unwise in selecting such a present for his father; and thereupon they each took their road to the city.
The elder Princes rode with their Princesses in open carriages, all of gold and azure. Their horses' heads were adorned with plumes of feathers and aigrettes. Nothing could be more brilliant than this cavalcade. Our young Prince followed them, and behind him came the crystal rock, which everybody gazed at with wonder.
The courtiers hastened to inform the King, that the three Princes were coming. "Do they bring with them beautiful ladies?" asked the King. "It is impossible to find any that could surpass them," was the answer, which appeared to displease him. The two Princes eagerly ascended the palace-stairs with their wonderful Princesses. The King received them graciously, and could not decide which deserved the prize. He looked at his youngest son, and said to him, "Have you returned alone this time?" "Your majesty will perceive in this rock a little white cat," replied the Prince, "that mews so sweetly, and has such velvet paws, you will be delighted with it." The King smiled, and went to open the rock himself: but as soon as he approached it, the Queen, by means of a spring, made it fly in pieces, and appeared like the sun after it had been some time hidden in the clouds. Her fair hair fell in loose ringlets over her shoulders down to her very feet; she was crowned with flowers; her gown was of thin white gauze lined with rose-
