in the counterpane, followed him
to his cottage, where he lit a fire, and gave her some clothes that once
belonged to his late wife. Seeing that she must be a lady of high
degree, by the richness of the bed-clothes, which were of satin,
embroidered with gold and silver, the old man questioned her, and having
learnt her story, he offered to go and inform the king of her arrival,
reminding her that she would not have proper fare in his poor house.
But Rosetta would not hear of such a thing, and preferred borrowing a
basket, which she fastened to Fretillon's neck, saying, "Go and fetch me
pot-luck from the best kitchen in the town." Fretillon set off; and, as
there was no better than the king's, he stole all that was in the pot,
and came back to his mistress. She then sent him back to the pantry to
fetch bread, wine, and fruit. Now, when the king of the peacocks wanted
to dine, there was nothing left, either in the pot or the pantry, so he
was in a great rage, and he ordered some joints to be roasted, that he
might, at least, make a good supper. But when evening came, the princess
sent Fretillon to fetch some joints from the best kitchen, and the
little dog again went to the palace, and, whipping the joints off the
spit while the cook's back was turned, he filled his basket and returned
home. The king having missed his dinner, wished to sup earlier than
usual, when again nothing was to be had, and he went to bed in a perfect
fury. The same thing happened the next day, both at dinner and at
supper, so that for three days the king never tasted a morsel; and this
might have gone on much longer had not a courtier concealed himself in
the kitchen, and discovered the four-footed thief, and followed him to
the cottage. The king immediately ordered the inmates of the cottage and
the dog to be taken into custody, and determined they should be put to
death with the two strangers, whose respite was to expire on the morrow.
He then entered the hall of justice to judge the culprits. The old man
knelt before him, and told him Rosetta's whole story; and when the king
cast his eyes upon her, and saw how beautiful she was, he jumped for
joy, and untied the cords that bound her. Meantime the two princes were
sent for, together with the nurse and her daughter; and when they had
all met, Rosetta fell on her brothers' necks, while the guilty nurse and
her daughter, and the pilot, knelt down to implore forgiveness. The king
was so delighted that