they could to gain her favor, and almost all of them asked her in
marriage; but she found not one of them had sense enough for her. She
gave them all a hearing, but would not engage herself to any.

However, there came one so powerful, so rich, so witty, and so handsome
that she could not help feeling a strong inclination toward him. Her
father perceived it, and told her that she was her own mistress as to
the choice of a husband, and that she might declare her intentions. She
thanked her father, and desired him to give her time to consider it.

She went by chance to walk in the same wood where she met Riquet with
the Tuft, the more conveniently to think what she ought to do. While she
was walking in a profound meditation, she heard a confused noise under
her feet, as it were of a great many people busily running backward and
forward. Listening more attentively, she heard one say:--

"Bring me that pot," another, "Give me that kettle," and a third, "Put
some wood upon the fire."

The ground at the same time opened, and she saw under her feet a great
kitchen full of cooks, kitchen helps, and all sorts of officers
necessary for a magnificent entertainment. There came out of it a
company of cooks, to the number of twenty or thirty, who went to plant
themselves about a very long table set up in the forest, with their
larding pins in their hands and fox tails in their caps, and began to
work, keeping time to a very harmonious tune.

The Princess, all astonished at this sight, asked them for whom they
worked.

"For Prince Riquet with the Tuft," said the chief of them, "who is to be
married to-morrow."

The Princess, more surprised than ever, and recollecting all at once
that it was now that day twelvemonth on which she had promised to marry
the Prince Riquet with the Tuft, was ready to sink into the ground.

What made her forget this was that when she made this promise, she was
very silly; and having obtained that vast stock of sense which the
prince had bestowed upon her, she had entirely forgotten the things she
had done in the days of her stupidity. She continued her walk, but had
not taken thirty steps before Riquet with the Tuft presented himself to
her, gallant and most magnificently dressed, like a prince who was going
to be married.

"You see, madam," said he, "I am exact in keeping my word, and doubt not
in the least but you are come hither to perform your promise."

"I frankly confess," answered the Pri