Page 47 - the-tales-of-mother-goose-by-charles-perrault

and it was amazing to see, in less than a quarter of an hour’s
time, the elder with not a soul near her, and the whole com-
pany crowding about the younger. The elder, dull as she was,
could not fail to notice this; and without the slightest regret
would have given all her beauty to have half her sister’s wit.
The Queen, prudent as she was, could not help reproaching
her several times for her stupidity, which almost made the
poor Princess die of grief.
One day, as she had hidden herself in a wood to bewail
her misfortune, she saw coming to her a very disagreeable
little man, but most magnificently dressed. This was the
young Prince Riquet with the Tuft, who having fallen in love
with her upon seeing her picture,—many of which were dis-
tributed all the world over,—had left his father’s kingdom to
have the pleasure of seeing and talking with her. Overjoyed
to find her thus alone, he addressed himself to her with all
imaginable politeness and respect. Having observed, after
he had paid her the ordinary compliments, that she was
extremely melancholy, he said to her:—
‘I cannot comprehend, madam, how a person so beau-
tiful as you are can be so sorrowful as you seem to be; for
though I can boast of having seen a great number of exqui-
sitely charming ladies, I can say that I never beheld any one
whose beauty approaches yours.’
‘You are pleased to say so,’ answered the Princess, and
here she stopped.
‘Beauty,’ replied Riquet with the Tuft, ‘is such a great ad-
vantage, that it ought to take place of all things besides; and
since you possess this treasure, I can see nothing that can

47