it was a real pleasure to look at her.
When the horse which the Duchess was to ride appeared beside Graciosa's,
it looked no better than an old cart horse, and as to their trappings,
there was simply no comparison between them, as the Princess's saddle
and bridle were one glittering mass of diamonds. The King had so many
other things to think of that he did not notice this, but all his
courtiers were entirely taken up with admiring the Princess and her
charming Page in green, who was more handsome and distinguished-looking
than all the rest of the court put together.

When they met the Duchess Grumbly she was seated in an open carriage
trying in vain to look dignified. The King and the Princess saluted her,
and her horse was brought forward for her to mount. But when she saw
Graciosa's she cried angrily:

'If that child is to have a better horse than mine, I will go back to my
own castle this very minute. What is the good of being a Queen if one is
to be slighted like this?'

Upon this the King commanded Graciosa to dismount and to beg the Duchess
to honour her by mounting her horse. The Princess obeyed in silence, and
the Duchess, without looking at her or thanking her, scrambled up upon
the beautiful horse, where she sat looking like a bundle of clothes, and
eight officers had to hold her up for fear she should fall off.

Even then she was not satisfied, and was still grumbling and muttering,
so they asked her what was the matter.

'I wish that Page in green to come and lead the horse, as he did when
Graciosa rode it,' said she very sharply.

And the King ordered the Page to come and lead the Queen's horse.
Percinet and the Princess looked at one another, but said never a word,
and then he did as the King commanded, and the procession started in
great pomp. The Duchess was greatly elated, and as she sat there in
state would not have wished to change places even with Graciosa. But
at the moment when it was least expected the beautiful horse began to
plunge and rear and kick, and finally to run away at such a pace that it
was impossible to stop him.

At first the Duchess clung to the saddle, but she was very soon thrown
off and fell in a heap among the stones and thorns, and there they found
her, shaken to a jelly, and collected what was left of her as if she had
been a broken glass. Her bonnet was here and her shoes there, her face
was scratched, and her fine clothes were covered with mud. Never was a
bride see