sufficient homage," said the king
one day; "I shall give orders to conduct you to the foot of the
mountain with pomp and splendour. But when arrived there the mountain
itself must be climbed on foot, with many fatigues: most women would
rather die childless than encounter them."

"Courage shall not be wanting on my part," said the queen, "and I wish
to set out immediately."

The king kissed her forehead, bade her good-night, and fell asleep.

At early dawn appeared in the grand court of the palace an equipage,
dazzling as the sun itself; the wheels were of massy gold, with
emerald nails, which sparkled in the light. It was drawn by forty-two
horses, white as snow, whose reins were of rose-coloured satin, the
fashion of that period. They snorted impatiently, striking fire from
the pavement beneath their feet; their eyes were inflamed; their bits
covered with foam, and their proud and triumphant air seemed already
to announce the success of the queen's enterprise. Three thousand
chevaliers, armed at all points and mounted on fiery coursers, wheeled
about the chariot, the air resounding with their joyful acclamations
of--"_Long live King Merinous and his august spouse!_"

The queen saluted the people with the utmost grace and condescension,
which caused such immoderate joy, that she was almost stifled by the
pressure of the crowd: but the guards gently kept them at a distance,
and the procession passed on.

When her majesty had reached the foot of the mountain, she alighted
from her chariot, and, accompanied by only four maids-of-honour,
proceeded on foot.

This mountain was formed of slippery earth, slightly covered over with
green turf, but giving way at every step. The queen's pretty little
white satin shoes were soon left behind; and her feet next stuck so
fast that she could not withdraw them; her fair hands were in the same
plight; she cried aloud for succour, fearing she should be completely
buried alive.

Turning then round to look for her maids-of-honour, she perceived that
they had fallen flat on their faces (the impression remains till this
day), and were struggling, making the most desperate efforts, less in
consideration of their own danger than that of the queen. In fine,
after four hours and a half's patient perseverance they succeeded in
regaining their feet; and strange to say, no mud or clay attached
itself to their clothes; nothing worse than a slight shade of the
green turf, which assumed the