time was approaching for her to leave the tower, and they were desirous that she should be married. She only wanted four days of being twenty. The court and the city were in great delight at the prospect of the speedy liberation of the Princess; and their joy was increased by the news that King Merlin wished her to be the wife of his son, and that he had sent his ambassador, Fanfarinet, to propose for her in due form.
The nurse, who told the Princess all the news, informed her of this, and assured her that nothing in the world could be a finer sight than the entry of Fanfarinet. "Ah! how unfortunate am I!" exclaimed the Princess. "They coop me up here in a dark tower, as if I had committed some great crime. I have never seen the sky, the sun, and the stars, of which they tell so many wonders. I have never seen a horse, a monkey, or a lion, except in a picture. The king and queen say that they will take me out of this place when I am twenty; but they only say so to make me patient, and I am certain they will let me die here, without my having done anything to offend them." Thereupon she began to cry so much—so much—that her eyes swelled as big as one's fist; and the wet-nurse, and the foster-sister, and the cradle-rocker, and the dresser, and the nursery-maid, who all loved her passionately, began also to cry so much—so much—that nothing was to be heard but sobs and sighs. It was a scene of utter despair. When the Princess saw them worked up to such a pitch of grief, she seized a knife, and exclaimed, "There! there! I am determined to kill myself instantly, if you do not find means to let me behold the grand entry of Fanfarinet! The king and queen will never know anything about it. Decide amongst yourselves, whether you had rather I should cut my throat on the spot, than that you should procure me this gratification!" At these words the nurse and all the others recommenced crying still more bitterly, and resolved unanimously that they would enable her to see Fanfarinet, or die themselves in the attempt. They passed the rest of the night in proposing various schemes, without finding any that were feasible, and Printaniere, who was almost out of her wits, continually exclaimed, "Never again try to make me believe that you love me!—you would find plenty of ways if you did. I feel convinced that love and friendship could overcome every obstacle!"
