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CHAPTER VIII

The Ball

Away went the grand coach, down the drive and through the lodge gates (which were standing wide open), and out on to the wide road that led to the town. The six grey horses stepped as proudly as any steeds in the King’s own stable; the coachman sat on the box as dignified as an emperor, and all the six footmen clung on behind and called out “Make way! Make way!” Through the town they clattered, to the amazement and joy of all the folk who were making holiday. The housewives came to their windows to see, and the citizens waved their caps in the air and shouted out “Hurrah!” They thought that Cinderella was a princess, or a duchess at least.

That, too, was the opinion of the ushers when the carriage drew up before the palace gates. The ushers came out to ask the name of the new guest, but Cin­derella told her footmen to say that she wished her name to be kept secret. At this the ushers were puzzled and did not know what to do, so they brought the Court Chamberlain, who came out with his gold stick of office in his hand, but had to retire no wiser than he came. In his turn the Chamberlain informed the young Prince, whose curiosity was so strongly aroused that he descendedin person to see who his mysterious guest could be. As soon as he saw Cinderella he was so overcome by her