Oldal 52 [52]
3 The Hind in the Wood.
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. Désirées 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 Désirée 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 d- ; but Longue¬