The Story teller (1850)/Prince Lupin and the White Cat

THE STORY TELLER.

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PRINCE LUPIN AND THE WHITE CAT.

A certain king had three sons, all handsome, brave, and fine young gentlemen; but being suspicious that they had formed a design to deprive him of his crown, he thought of a method to divert them from their intended purpose. Having called them one day into his closet, he spoke to them as follows:—"My sons, I am now come to a great age, and cannot apply myself to public affairs with so much care as formerly; therefore, I intend to resign my crown to one of you; but, as it is but right to require some proof of your abilities, in order to determine which is the most worthy of so valuable a present, I propose and promise, that he who shall bring me the most beautiful little dog shall immediately take possession of my throne."

The three princes readily agreed to this proposal, each concluding himself most likely to succeed in fulfilling this extraordinary request. After taking leave of the king, they set out, with orders to return that day twelvemonth with dogs. Each took a different road, without any attendants; but we shall leave the two eldest at present, and confine our story to the youngest.

This accomplished prince, as he was more desirous to show his duty to his father than to become a king, was more fortunate in his undertaking than either of the others. One night, having travelled till it was very late, and being overtaken by a storm in a large forest, he discovered a light at a distance, and, pursuing his journey with all speed, he arrived at a most statcly castle, the gates of which were of massy gold, and the walls of fine china, whereon were painted the histories of all the fairies that ever appeared on earth. At the door hung a chain of diamonds, with a deer's foot at the end; on pulling which, the prince heard a bell of so pleasing a sound, that he concluded it to be made of gold or silver. Immediately the door opened, and twelve hands, each holding a flambeau, gently conducted him into a hall of mother-of-pearl, and from thence through a vast variety of ehambers, all richly eovered with paintings and jewels. The beauty of these ornaments was greatly heightened by a number of lights that hung from the ceiling in glass sconces of exquisite workmanship.

After having passed through sixty apartments, a fine easy chair moved towards him of its own aeeord; the fire lighted itself, and the hands pulled off his clothes, which had been drenched in the storm, and dressed him in others so extraordinarily fine and rich, that it dazzled his sight to behold himself. While the prince was in the utmost astonishment at this uncommon adventure, he saw a multitude of cats enter the room, and seat themselves on the bench. One held a music-book, and some played on instruments, while others beat time. In the midst of this concert, a small figure came forward in a mourning veil, led by two cats in black cloaks, and followed by a long train of cats, some with rats, and others with mice, in their mouths. The young prince was so surprised that he had not power to move; when the little figure, lifting up its veil, discovered the prettiest white cat that ever was seen. "Prince," said she, "be not afraid, but give me your company with cheerfulness. It shall be the ambition of me and all my mewing attendants to give you pleasure."

On a signal given, supper was brought in; but the prince at first declined eating, till the White Cat, guessing the reason, assured him that there were no rats nor mice in any thing that was set before him. As the prince was admiring this beautiful cat, he observed a small picture hanging upon her foot. He asked her to show it him; and how great was his surprise to see a charming young man very much resembling himself! Yct, observing the White Cat to sigh, he was afraid at that time to satisfy his euriosity concerning it, and so endeavoured to divert her by entertaining conversation, in which he found her to be extremely sensible, and acquainted with every thing that passed in the world. He slept every night in an apartment hung with tapestry made of the wings of butterflies, on a bed of the most delicious flowers, and every day was spent in the most delightful amusement. In this manner almost a year slipped away insensibly; and the prince entirely forgot his native home and the little dog he was to carry to his father. But the White Cat knew when he was to return; and one day, as they were walking together in a grove near the palace, "Do you remember, prince," said she, "the promise you made your father? Your brothers have already procured some curious little dogs, and there remain but three days for you to find one more beautiful, or lose a kingdom." These words awoke the prince from his dream of pleasure. "Alas!" cried he, "what have I been doing? My honour is lost for ever." "Do not afflict yourself," said the White Cat, "I will find a horse that will carry you home in less than twelve hours. And as for the little dog, take this acorn, in which there is one; put it to your ear and you will hear it bark." The prince did so, and, transported with pleasure, thanked her a thousand times. Bidding her farewell, he mounted the wooden horse, and arrived at his father's palace just as his brothers entered the court-yard. he ran to embrace them, and all three went together to the king. The two eldest presented their dogs, which were so equally beautiful that it was impossible to know in whose favour to determine. But the youngest soon put an end to the debate; for, pulling the acorn out of his pocket and opening it, they saw a little dog lying on cotton, so small that it might go through a ring; it was of a mixture of colours, and its ears reached the ground. The king was convinced that nothing could be met with so beautiful; but, being unwilling yet to part with his crown, he told his children, that he must make a further trial of their love and diligence before he performed his promise; they must take another year to find out a web of cloth fine enough to go through the eye of a small needle.

This request, though unjust, they thought it best to comply with; and our prince mounted his wooden horse, and returned with speed to his White Cat, on which alone he depended for assistance. He found her laid on a quilt of white satin. As soon as she saw him, she expressed the utmost joy; while the prince caressed her in the most tender manner, and told her the success of his journey. The White Cat redoubled her efforts to render the prince more happy, if possible, than he had been before. The instant he wished for anything the hands brought it to him; and the second year rolled away so fast, that the prince would again have forgot his orders, had not the White Cat reminded him thereof: "But make yourself perfectly easy concerning the web," said she, "for I have one wonderfully fine. Take this walnut; be sure to crack it in your father's presence, and you will find in it such a web as you want."

The prince thanked her in the most grateful manner; and was presently carried by the wooden horse to his father's palace, where his brothers had got before him. They pulled out their webs, which were exceeding fine, and would go through the eye of a large needle, but could not be made to pass through the eye of a small one. The king was going to avail himself of this pretext, when the youngest prince unexpectedly entered, and produced a walnut, which he cracked. Finding only a kernel of wax, the king and all prescnt ridiculed him for thinking to find a web of cloth in a nut. However, he broke the kernel, and saw in it a corn of wheat, and in that a grain of millet-seed; he then opened the millet-seed, and, to the utter astonishment and confusion of all the beholders, drew out a web of cloth four hundred yards long. The needle was brought, and the web was put through the eye of it five or six times with the greatest ease.

The king fetched a deep sigh, and turning towards his sons, "My children," said he, "I am still desirous of putting you to a new trial: go for another year; and he that brings me the most beautiful damsel shall marry her and be crowned king; and I swear most solemnly, that I will require no other proof of your filial affection and discretion." Our sweet prince heard this tyrannic command without a murmur; and, remounting his courser, flew to his dear White Cat; which, knowing the moment of his return, was prepared to receive him in the golden gallery. "Prince," said she, "the king, I find has refused you the crown; however, I hope you will take care to deserve it, and I will provide you with a beautiful damsel who will gain the prize."

The prince grew more and more fond of her; and in her abode enjoyed every magnificent entertainment that fancy could invent. When this last year was near expired, the White Cat thus addressed him:—"If you are sensible of the favours I have conferred upon you, now is the time to make me amends. Do not hesitate, but cut off my head and tail, and throw them into the fire." Tears started from the prince's eyes at this request, and he was going several times to refuse; but the White Cat insisted upon it so earnestly, that at last, with a trembling hand, he chopped off her head and tail, and threw them according to order into the fire. In an instant the body of the White Cat was changed into the most beautiful lady that ever was seen, and immediately a great number of gentlemen and ladies, holding their cats' skins over their shoulders, came and fell prostrate at her feet, crying, "Long live our gracious queen! How great is our joy to see her once more in her natural shape!" The prince was glad beyond description to behold so charming a creature, but could not help expressing an earnest desire to know the cause of this surprising transformation. "Restrain your curiosity," says the lovely queen, "till we arrive at your father's court, where I am now ready to accompany you, and where I will relate my unheard-of misfortunes. Come, see, the carriage waits." So saying, she gave her hand to the prince, who led her into a chariot, the inside of which was fine velvet, set with brilliants, the outside gold; and the horses' harness was made of emeralds.

Away they flew, and were presently at the gates of the king's palace, where the two eldest princes were already arrived with their two princesses, in fine calashes of blue, embossed with gold. The courtiers crowded to present these three illustrious couples to the king. The two eldest princes with their ladies advanced first, and were received very graciously by the monarch, who declared they had brought him two such beauties, that he knew not to which he should give the preference; but the moment the youngest approached with his queen, both full of grace and dignity, the king cried out in ecstacy, "This is the incomparable beauty, whose worth and excellence claims and deserves my crown!" "I came not to rob you of your crown," answered the discreet queen; "I was born heiress to six kingdoms. Give me leave to present one of them to you, and one to each of your sons; for which I ask no other return than this amiable prince in marriage."

The king and all the court were struck with joy at this declaration; and the nuptials were celebrated the same day with great magnificence. Never were a pair more happy; and the young prince, to the last moment of his life, blessed the accident that led him to the abode of the sweet White Cat.