r?

_Fairy Godmother_ (_laughing_). That wouldn't be nice, would it? Well,
let us see what my wand can do for you. Now look in the glass and tell
me what you see there.

_Cinderella._ Oh, what a pretty lady! Why, I do believe she is myself!
What a beautiful dress! And look, dear godmother! see my pretty glass
slippers!

_Fairy Godmother._ Yes, my dear, you are all ready for the Prince's
ball. I want you to have a happy time, but remember this. You must start
for home when the clock strikes twelve or your pretty clothes will
change, your coach will turn into a pumpkin, your horses to rats, and
you will have to walk home.

_Cinderella._ I'll remember, dear godmother, and run away on the first
stroke. Thank you so much! Good-by!

[_Enters the coach and is driven away._]

SCENE III.--_The Prince's Palace_

_Cinderella._ Here I am at the palace. Please announce me as the Lady
from Far Away.

_Herald._ The Lady from Far Away!

_Prince._ What a lovely lady! she must be a princess. Tell me, fair
lady, are you a princess from the land of flowers?

_Cinderella._ I am not a princess, sir, but only a girl from the land of
happy thoughts.

_Prince._ You say well, fair lady, for no one can look upon you without
thoughts of love and joy.

_Cinderella._ And you, great Prince, have thoughts of great and noble
deeds, have you not?

_Prince._ Yes, I have thoughts of great deeds, of brave men and fair
ladies, of games and victories,--but now I have forgotten all but you.

_Cinderella._ Will you remember me to-morrow or shall I fade away like
the dreams of night?

[Illustration]

_Prince._ No dreams could be fairer, but I hope you will not vanish as
they do. If you do, I am quite sure that I shall find you!

_Cinderella._ Don't be too sure, for I am not what I seem. I am a
princess only in your thoughts; really I am--

_Prince._ What? a flower, a star, a goddess?

_Cinderella._ No, only a woman--

_Prince._ The best of all, a woman! And now will the dream-woman dance
with me?

_Cinderella._ With pleasure; what lovely music!--and so many pretty
women. What beautiful rooms!

[_Cinderella, the Prince, her father, mother, sisters, and two gentlemen
dance the minuet._]

_Prince._ Will you not tell me your name and where you live?

_Cinderella._ Both are a secret.

_Prince._ It makes no difference to me, for I know you, and that is
enough.

_Cinderella._ I hear the clock! What hour is it striking?

_Prince