in marriage, for
they knew him to be a brave and noble young man. But as it still
wanted three months to the Princess's fifteenth year, warned by
the Fairy Tulip, who had taken Desiree under her special care, they
refused to let him see their daughter or to let her yet marry the
Prince Guerrier, but they showed her the Prince's portrait, with
which she was greatly pleased, and particularly when it said, "Lovely
Desiree, you cannot imagine how ardently I am waiting for you; come
soon into our Court to make it beautiful by your presence."

[Illustration]

When Prince Guerrier saw the ambassador return without Desiree, he
was so terribly disappointed that he could neither eat nor sleep, and
before long fell dangerously ill.

Meanwhile Desiree had no less pleasure in looking at the Prince's
portrait than he had had admiring hers, and this was soon discovered
by those around her, and among others Giroflee and Longue Epine, her
maids of honour. Giroflee loved her passionately and faithfully, but
Longue Epine was full of envy of the Princess who was so good and
beautiful, and, besides Longue Epine, Desiree had another enemy,
and that was the Princess Noire, to whom Prince Guerrier had been
betrothed. This Princess Noire now went to the Fairy of the Fountain,
who was her best friend, and begged her to take revenge upon Princess
Desiree, and this the Fairy promised to do. Meanwhile once more
Becafigue came to the capital where Desiree's father lived, and
throwing himself at the King's feet, besought him in most touching
words to let his daughter go with him at once to the Prince, who would
surely die if he could not behold her.

When Princess Desiree heard of the Prince's illness, she suggested
that she should set out without delay, but in a dark carriage,
that only at night should be opened to give her food. This plan was
approved of; the ambassador was told, and he departed full of joy. So
in a carriage like a large dark box, shut up with her Lady in Waiting
and her two Maids of Honour, Giroflee and Longue Epine, Princess
Desiree departed for Prince Guerrier's Court.

Perhaps you will remember that Longue Epine did not like Princess
Desiree, but she greatly admired Prince Guerrier, for she had seen his
portrait speaking, and she had told her mother, the Lady in Waiting,
that she should die if he married Desiree.

The King and Queen had begged the Lady in Waiting to take the greatest
of care of their dear daughter, and