looked so beautiful. Percinet entered the room in a dress of green and gold, (green was his colour because Gracieuse was fond of it). All those we have heard boasted of as the best-formed and most amiable of men would have lost by comparison with this young prince. Gracieuse told him she had not been able to sleep; that the recollection of her misfortunes tormented her, and that she could not help dreading the consequences. "What can alarm you, madam?" said he; "you are sovereign here—you are here adored—would you abandon me for your cruel enemy?" "If I were my own mistress," she replied, "I would accept your proposal; but I am accountable to the king, my father, for my actions, and it is better to suffer than fail in my duty." Percinet said everything in the world he could think of to persuade her to marry him; but she would not consent, and it was almost in spite of herself that she was induced to remain one week, during which he invented a thousand new pleasures for her entertainment. She often said to the prince, "I should much like to know what is passing in Grognon's Court, and how she has glossed over her conduct to me?" Percinet told her he would send his squire to ascertain, who was an intelligent person. She replied that she was convinced he had no need of any one to inform him of what was going on, and that therefore he could tell her immediately if he chose. "Come then with me," said he, "into the great tower, and you shall see for yourself." Thereupon he led her to the top of an exceedingly high tower which was all of rock-crystal, like the rest of the château. He told her to place her foot on his, and her little finger in his mouth, and then to look in the direction of the city. She immediately perceived that the wicked Grognon was with the king, and that she was saying to him, "That wretched princess has hanged herself in the cellar; I have just seen her, she is a most horrible sight—she must be buried immediately, and you will soon get over so trifling a loss." The king began to weep for the death of his daughter. Grognon turned her back upon him, retired to her apartments, caused a log of wood to be dressed up in a cap, and well wrapped in grave-clothes, put into a coffin, and then by order of the king there was a grand funeral, which was attended by everybody, weeping and cursing the cruel stepmother, whom they accused of having caused the death of the princess. All the people went into deep
