te, she was nearly beside herself with delight. Hoping all the time
for such a summons, she had dressed herself with great care, putting on
the garment of moonlight, whose skirt was scattered over with emeralds.
But when they began calling to her to come down, she hastily covered
herself with her donkey-skin and announced she was ready to present
herself before his Highness. She was taken straight into the hall, where
the prince was awaiting her, but at the sight of the donkey-skin his
heart sank. Had he been mistaken after all?

'Are you the girl,' he said, turning his eyes away as he spoke, 'are you
the girl who has a room in the furthest corner of the inner court of the
farmhouse?'

'Yes, my lord, I am,' answered she.

'Hold out your hand then,' continued the prince, feeling that he must
keep his word, whatever the cost, and, to the astonishment of every one
present, a little hand, white and delicate, came from beneath the black
and dirty skin. The ring slipped on with the utmost ease, and, as it did
so, the skin fell to the ground, disclosing a figure of such beauty that
the prince, weak as he was, fell on his knees before her, while the
king and queen joined their prayers to his. Indeed, their welcome was so
warm, and their caresses so bewildering, that the princess hardly knew
how to find words to reply, when the ceiling of the hall opened, and the
fairy godmother appeared, seated in a car made entirely of white lilac.
In a few words she explained the history of the princess, and how she
came to be there, and, without losing a moment, preparations of the most
magnificent kind were made for the wedding.

The kings of every country in the earth were invited, including, of
course, the princess's adopted father (who by this time had married a
widow), and not one refused.

But what a strange assembly it was! Each monarch travelled in the way
he thought most impressive; and some came borne in litters, others
had carriages of every shape and kind, while the rest were mounted on
elephants, tigers, and even upon eagles. So splendid a wedding had never
been seen before; and when it was over the king announced that it was
to be followed by a coronation, for he and the queen were tired of
reigning, and the young couple must take their place. The rejoicings
lasted for three whole months, then the new sovereigns settled down
to govern their kingdom, and made themselves so much beloved by their
subjects, that when they died