loved so
much.

The three Princesses put on dresses of satin, which they had had made
on purpose for this great occasion, one green, one blue, and the third
white; their jewels were the same colors. The eldest wore emeralds, the
second turquoises, and the youngest diamonds, and thus adorned they
went to meet the King, singing verses which they had composed about his
victories.

When he saw them all so beautiful and so gay he embraced them tenderly,
but gave Miranda more kisses than either of the others.

Presently a splendid banquet was served, and the King and his daughters
sat down to it, and as he always thought that there was some special
meaning in everything, he said to the eldest:

"Tell me why you have chosen a green dress."

"Sire," she answered, "having heard of your victories I thought that
green would signify my joy and the hope of your speedy return."

"That is a very good answer," said the King; "and you, my daughter," he
continued, "why did you take a blue dress?"

"Sire," said the Princess, "to show that we constantly hoped for your
success, and that the sight of you is as welcome to me as the sky with
its most beautiful stars."

"Why," said the King, "your wise answers astonish me, and you, Miranda.
What made you dress yourself all in white?

"Because, sire," she answered, "white suits me better than anything
else."

"What!" said the King angrily, "was that all you thought of, vain
child?"

"I thought you would be pleased with me," said the Princess; "that was
all."

The King, who loved her, was satisfied with this, and even pretended to
be pleased that she had not told him all her reasons at first.

"And now," said he, "as I have supped well, and it is not time yet to go
to bed, tell me what you dreamed last night."

The eldest said she had dreamed that he brought her a dress, and the
precious stones and gold embroidery on it were brighter than the sun.

The dream of the second was that the King had brought her a spinning
wheel and a distaff, that she might spin him some shirts.

But the youngest said: "I dreamed that my second sister was to be
married, and on her wedding-day, you, father, held a golden ewer and
said: 'Come, Miranda, and I will hold the water that you may dip your
hands in it.'"

The King was very angry indeed when he heard this dream, and frowned
horribly; indeed, he made such an ugly face that everyone knew how angry
he was, and he got up and went off to bed in