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THE PRINCESS POURQUOI
Her Majesty fainted and was carried from the room. His Majesty turned purple, and the calves of his legs swelled with rage. The ladies-in-waiting hid their faces behind their hands and whispered, "Shameless!" The philosophers shook their heads and muttered, "The Curse!" As soon as the King could find his voice he thundered: "Away with him to the donjon keep! Let the executioner come and do his duty! Cut off the head of the impostor who would steal my daughter's hand!"
"He is no impostor," said the Princess scornfully. "Whatever his birth may be, his soul is royal."
The men-at-arms came forward to seize him, but the Princess flung herself between him and them. He put her gently aside,
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