unknown newcomer. Nothing was
then heard but a confused noise of "Ha! how handsome she is! Ha! how
handsome she is!"

The King himself, old as he was, could not help watching her and telling
the Queen softly that it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful
and lovely a creature.

All the ladies were busied in considering her clothes and headdress,
that they might have some made next day after the same pattern, provided
they could meet with such fine materials and as able hands to make them.

The King's son conducted her to the most honorable seat and afterward
took her out to dance with him. She danced so very gracefully that they
all more and more admired her. A fine collation was served up, whereof
the young Prince ate not a morsel, so intently was he busied in gazing
on her.

She went and sat down by her sisters, showing them a thousand
civilities, giving them part of the oranges and citrons which the Prince
had presented her with, which very much surprised them, for they did not
know her. While Cinderella was thus amusing her sisters, she heard the
clock strike eleven and three-quarters, whereupon she immediately made a
courtesy to the company and hastened away as fast as she could.

Being got home, she ran to seek out her Godmother, and after having
thanked her she said she could not but heartily wish she might go next
day to the ball, because the King's son had desired her.

As she was eagerly telling her Godmother what had passed at the ball her
two sisters knocked at the door, which Cinderella ran and opened.

"How long you have stayed!" cried she, gaping, rubbing her eyes, and
stretching herself as if she had been just waked out of her sleep. She
had not, however, had any manner of inclination to sleep since they went
from home.

"If thou hadst been at the ball," said one of her sisters, "thou
would'st not have been tired with it. There came thither the finest
Princess, the most beautiful ever was seen with mortal eyes. She showed
us a thousand civilities and gave us oranges and citrons."

Cinderella seemed very indifferent in the matter. Indeed, she asked them
the name of that Princess, but they told her they did not know it, and
that the King's son was very uneasy on her account, and would give all
the world to know who she was. At this Cinderella, smiling, replied:

"She must, then, be very beautiful indeed. How happy you have been!
Could not I see her? Ah! dear Miss Charlotte, do lend me y