s shown you
enough. I am delighted that you are so sensible to the merits of
Prince Favourite, as I design him for your husband. Love him
accordingly."

"Your majesty's commands are laws to your dutiful daughter," replied
Papillette.

One may easily imagine with what magnificence preparations were made
for the nuptials; the king hastened them, lest his daughter's
fickleness and levity might cause disappointment to their dearest
hopes.

Papillette one day, while steadily regarding her lover, who was
kneeling before her, appeared struck by something which made an
impression as sudden as disagreeable. She repulsed Prince Favourite,
saying she was seized with a headache, and could not be troubled with
company.

The lover submissively arose and went to seek the queen, beseeching
her to find out what he had done, and to intercede in his favour. Her
majesty accordingly questioned the princess, who, bathed in tears,
threw herself into the arms of her mother, confessing that she had
made a discovery which totally altered her sentiments regarding the
prince. "Is it possible," added she, "that you have not perceived his
ears, of so unusual a size, and a deep red colour?"

"Is that all?" cried the queen. "In truth, I have not observed it; but
to take notice of an imperfection so very trifling, would make us
appear ridiculous indeed."

"People cannot help their feelings," replied Papillette; "I have quite
a horror of red ears; it is little worth while to be daughter of a
great king, if one must be crossed and thwarted in the most important
arrangement of life."

The queen reasoned long; but this only increased Papillette's
resistance: therefore, being quite defenceless against the tears of a
child so dear, her majesty promised to speak to the king.

Merinous was firm in all his resolutions; he therefore declared, that
his daughter should become the wife of Prince Favourite, whether she
liked it or not.

The queen had not courage to impart this dreadful intelligence; but
she threw herself on the generosity of the prince, beseeching that he
would himself break the engagement--thus shielding Papillette from the
resentment of the king.

The distracted lover was ready to die with grief: but promised to do
all she requested. He asked but three days' grace.

The queen consented; and Prince Favourite then summoned Queseca, chief
barber to the king, "Barber," said he, "each country has its
particular prejudices--its own idea