And up in the tower chamber the Princess opened her eyes to meet the
gaze of the Prince, who had dared to risk his life for her sake. What
they said to each other nobody quite knows, for nobody was there to
hear or see. But whatever it was, it must have been something very
satisfactory; for very soon after they were married, and lived happily
ever afterwards.

[Illustration]

PUSS-IN-BOOTS

[Illustration]

There was once a Miller, who, at his death, had nothing to leave to his
three sons except his mill, his ass, and his cat. The eldest son took
the mill, the second took the ass--and as for the youngest, all that
remained for him was the cat.

The youngest son grumbled at this. "My brothers," said he, "will be able
to earn an honest living; but when I have eaten my cat and sold his skin
I shall die of hunger."

The Cat, who was sitting beside him, overheard this.

[Illustration]

"Nay, Master," he said, "don't take such a gloomy view of things. If you
will get me a pair of boots made so that I can walk through the brambles
without hurting my feet, and give me a bag, you shall soon see what I am
worth."

The Cat's master was so surprised to hear his Cat talking, that he at
once got him what he wanted. The Cat drew on the boots and slung the
bag round his neck and set off for a rabbit warren. When he got there
he filled his bag with bran and lettuces, and stretching himself out
beside it as if dead, waited until some young rabbit should be tempted
into the bag. This happened very soon. A fat, thoughtless rabbit went
in headlong, and the Cat at once jumped up, pulled the strings and
killed him.

Puss was very proud of his success, and, going to the King's palace, he
asked to speak to the King. When he was shown into the King's presence
he bowed respectfully, and, laying the rabbit down before the throne,
he said--

"Sire, here is a rabbit, which my master, the Marquis of Carabas,
desires me to present to your Majesty."

"Tell your master," said the King, "that I accept his present, and am
very much obliged to him."

A few days later, the Cat went and hid himself in a cornfield and laid
his bag open as before. This time two splendid partridges were lured
into the trap, and these also he took to the Palace and presented to the
King from the Marquis of Carabas. The King was very pleased with this
gift, and ordered the messenger of the Marquis of Carabas to be
handsomely rewarded.

[Illustration]