why, then, did you remain, miss?"

"Why did I remain?" said Rose-Pompon, stamping her loot with vexation.
"I remained because, without knowing how it happened, I began to get
very fond of Prince Charming; and what is queer enough, I, who am as gay
as a lark, loved him because he was so sorrowful, which shows that it
was a serious matter. At last, one day, I could hold out no longer. I
said: 'Never mind; I don't care for the consequences. Philemon, I am
sure, is having his fun in the country.' That set my mind at ease. So
one morning, I dress myself in my best, all very pretty, look in my
glass, and say: 'Well, that will do--he can't stand that! and, going to
his room, I tell him all that passes through my head; I laugh, I cry--at
last I tell him that I adore him. What do you think he answers, in his
mild voice, and as cold as a piece of marble? Why, 'Poor child--poor
child--poor child!'" added Rose-Pompon, with indignation; "neither more
nor less than if I had come to complain to him of the toothache. But
the worst of it is that I am sure, if he were not in love elsewhere, he
would be all fire and gunpowder. Only now he is so sad, so dejected!"

Then, pausing a moment, Rose-Pompon added: "No, I will not tell
you that; you would be too pleased." But, after another pause, she
continued: "Well, never mind; I will tell you, though"; and this
singular girl looked at Mdlle. de Cardoville with a mixture of sympathy
and deference. "Why should I keep it from you? I began by riding
the high horse, and saying that the prince wished to marry me; and I
finished by confessing that he almost turned me out. Well, it's not my
fault; when I try to fib, I am sure to get confused. So, madame, this is
the plain truth:--When I met you at poor Mother Bunch's, I was at first
as angry as a little turkey-cock; but when I heard you, that are such a
fine great lady, speak so kindly to the poor girl, and treat her as your
sister, do what I would, my anger began to go away. Since we have
been here, I have done my utmost to get it up again; but I find it
impossible, and the more I see the difference between us, the more I
perceive that Prince Charming was right in thinking so much of you. For
you must know, madame, that he is over head and ears in love with you.
I don't say so merely because he killed the panther for you at the
Porte-Saint-Martin; but if you knew all the tricks he played with your
bouquet, and how he will sit up all night weeping in