said the King, “that induces us to refuse a request which you are perfectly justified in making;” and he then related to the ambassador the Princess’s extraordinary adventure.
The Queen had not yet spoken to her daughter of what was passing; but the Princess knew a great marriage was in agitation for her.
The ambassador, finding his endeavours to obtain the Princess were useless, took leave of the King, and returned. When the Prince found he could not hope to see his dear Désirée for more than three months, he fell dangerously ill. The King was in despair, and resolved to go to the father and mother of Désirée, and entreat them no longer to defer the marriage.
During all this time Désirée had scarcely less pleasure in looking at the Prince’s portrait than he had in gazing at hers. And her attendants did not fail to discover this—amongst others, Giroflée and Longue-épine, her maids of honour. Giroflée loved her dearly, and was faithful; but Longue-épine had always nourished a secret jealousy of her. Her mother had been the Princess’s governess, and was now her principal lady-in-waiting, but as she doted on her own daughter, she could not wish well to Désirée.
The ambassador Becafigue again posted with the greatest speed to the city where Désirée’s father resided, and assured the King and Queen that Prince Guerrier would die if they refused him their daughter any longer. At last they promised him that before evening he should know what could be done in the matter. The Queen went to her daughter’s palace, and told her all that had passed. Désirée’s grief was very great, but the Queen said, “Do not distress yourself, my dear child; you are able to cure him. I am only uneasy on account of the threats of the Fairy of the Fountain.” “Could I not go in a coach,” replied she, “so closely shut up that I could not see daylight? They might open it at night, to give me something to eat, and I should thus arrive safely at the palace of Prince Guerrier.”
The King and Queen fancied this expedient very much; and they sent for Becafigue, telling him the Princess should set out instantly. The ambassador thanked their Majesties, and again returned to the Prince.
A coach was built, lined with pink and silver brocade. There were no glass windows in it; and one of the first noblemen in the kingdom had charge of the keys. And Desiree was locked up in the coach, with her principal lady-in-waiting, Longue-épine, and Giroflée. Longue-épine did not like the Princess; and was in love with Prince Guerrier, whose likeness she had seen. When upon the point of setting out she told her mother she should die if the Princess’s marriage took place; and the lady-in-waiting said she would endeavour to prevent it.
The King and Queen felt no uneasiness for their daughter; but Longue-épine,
