la." However, in her shabby clothes Cinderella
was ten times handsomer than her sisters, let them be ever so
magnificently dressed.

The poor girl slept in the garret, upon a wretched straw mattress,
whilst the bed-chambers of her sisters were furnished with every luxury
and elegance, and provided with mirrors, in which they could survey
themselves from head to foot. The amiable creature bore this ill
treatment with patience, and did not venture to complain to her father,
who was so completely governed by his wife that he would only have
scolded her.

It happened that the king's son sent invitations to a ball, which was to
last two nights, and to which all the great people of the land were
invited, the two sisters among the rest. This delighted them extremely,
and their thoughts were entirely occupied in selecting their most
becoming dresses for the important occasion. Poor Cinderella had now
more work to do than ever, as it was her business to iron their linen,
and starch their ruffles. The sisters talked of nothing but preparations
for the ball. The eldest said, "I shall wear my crimson-velvet dress,
and point-lace;" and the younger, "I shall put on my usual
dress-petticoat, a mantle embroidered with gold flowers, and a tiara of
diamonds." They sent to engage the services of the most fashionable
hairdresser. They also called Cinderella to their aid; for she had very
good taste, and she offered, in the most amiable manner, to arrange
their heads herself; of which offer they were only too happy to avail
themselves.

[Illustration]

Whilst so occupied, the eldest said, "Cinderella, should you like to go
to the ball?"

"Alas!" said she, "you are ridiculing me. I am not likely to go to the
ball."

"You are right," replied the sister; "people would be amused to see a
Cinderella there."

If Cinderella had been at all unamiable she might have dressed their
heads all awry, for such unkindness; but she returned good for evil, and
did it in the best possible style.

The sisters were in such spirits they could scarcely eat for two days.
All their time was spent before the looking-glass, and more than a dozen
laces were broken in attempts to tighten their waists into elegant
shapes.

At length the long-wished-for evening arrived, and these proud misses
stepped into their carriage, and drove away to the palace.

Cinderella looked after the coach as far as she could see, and then
returned to the kitchen in tears, wher