Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/175

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PRINCESS ROSETTE.
139

were turned, and took all the roast meat off the spit, so nicely done, that the mere sight of it gave you an appetite. He brought his basket home, quite full, to the Princess. She sent him back immediately to the buttery, and he returned with all the royal preserves and sweetmeats. The king, who had not dined, being very hungry, desired to sup early; but there was nothing to set before him. He put himself into an awful passion, and went to bed supperless. The next day at dinner and supper time it was exactly the same case, so that the king was without eating or drinking, because, when he was ready to sit down to table, it was discovered that everything had been carried off. His confidant, greatly disturbed, fearing the king would die, concealed himself in a little corner of the kitchen, and kept his eyes constantly on the pot that was boiling. He was much surprised to see a little green dog with one ear enter very softly, take off the cover, and put all the meat into his basket. He followed it to see whither it went. He saw it go out of the city, and followed it to the good old man's. Immediately he returned to tell the king that all his boiled and roast was taken day and night to the hovel of a poor peasant.

The king was much astonished. He ordered the man to be brought before him. The confidant, to pay court to the king, determined to go himself, with the archers of the guard. They found the old man dining with the Princess upon the king's boiled meat. They seized and bound them with strong cords, and secured Fretillon also.

As soon as they arrived at the palace the king was informed of it, who replied, "To-morrow will be the seventh and last day I granted to those impudent impostors. They shall die with these thieves who have stolen my dinner." So saying he entered the hall of justice. The old man fell on his knees and said he would confess everything. While he was speaking the king gazed on the beautiful Princess, and pitied her tears, but when the good man declared that she was the Princess Rosette who had been thrown into the sea, notwithstanding the king was so weak and faint for want of food, he jumped three times for joy, ran and embraced her, and untied the cords with which she was bound, assuring her that he loved her with all his heart.

At the same time the princes were sent for, who, imagining