ings of
the surrounding countries, for, as they said, there cannot fail to be
among so many, some one who should please the princess, who was to hide
behind a door, so that she could examine them all as she pleased. When
the king heard this advice, he gave the orders necessary for the
banquet, and then called his daughter, and said: "Listen, my little
Stella, I have thought to do so and so, to see if I can find any one to
please you; behold, my daughter, my hair is white, and I must have some
one to leave my crown to." Stella bowed her head, saying that she would
take care to please him. Princes and kings then began to arrive at the
court, and when it was time for the banquet, they all seated themselves
at the table. You can imagine what sort of a banquet that was, and how
the hall was adorned: gold and silver shone from all their necks; in the
four corners of the room were four fountains, which continually sent
forth wine and the most exquisite perfumes. While the gentlemen were
eating, Stella was behind a door, as has been said, and one of her
maids, who was near by, pointed out to her now this one, now that one.
"See, your Majesty, what a handsome youth that is there." "Yes, but he
has too large a nose." "And the one near your father?" "He has eyes that
look like saucers." "And that other at the head of the table?" "He has
too large a mouth; he looks as if he liked to eat." In short, she found
fault with all but one, who, she said, pleased her, but that he must be
a very dirty fellow, for he had a crumb on his beard after eating. The
youth heard her say this, and swore vengeance. You must know that he was
the son of the king of Green Hill, and the handsomest youth that could
be seen. When the banquet was finished and the guests had departed, the
king called Stella and asked: "What news have you, my child?" She
replied, that the only one who pleased her was the one with the crumb in
his beard, but that she believed him to be a dirty fellow and did not
want him. "Take care, my daughter, you will repent it," answered her
father, and turned away.

You must know that Stella's chamber looked into a court-yard into which
opened the shop of a baker. One night, while she was preparing to
retire, she heard, in the room where they sifted the meal, some one
singing so well and with so much grace that it went to her heart. She
ran to the window and listened until he finished. Then she began to ask
her maid who the person with the