the
STORY of CINDERILLA;
or, the
Little GLASS SLIPPER.
ONCE there was a gentleman, who married for his second wife the proudest and most haughty woman that ever was seen. She had by her former husband, two daughters, but of her own humour, who were indeed exactly like her in all things. He had, likewise, by another wife, a young daughter of an unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world.
No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over, but the mother-in-law began to shew herself in her colours. She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl, and the less, because she made her daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in the meanest work of the house; she scoured the dishes, tables, &c. and rubbed madam’s chamber and those of the misses her daughters; she lay up in a very sorry garret, upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms, with floors all inlaid, upon beds of the very newest fashion. Her books were the only companions she had, and when her sisters went out, she used to take the opportunity of reading theirs.
The poor girl bore all patiently, and dared not to tell her father, who would have rattled her off; for his wife governed him entirely. When she had done her work she used to go into the chimney-corner, and sit down among the cinders and ashes, which made her commonly be called Cinder-breech; but the youngest, who was not so rude and uncivil as the eldest, called her Cinderilla. However, Cinderilla notwithstanding her mean apparel, was an hundred times handsomer than either of her sisters tho’ they were always dressed very richly.
It happened that the king's son gave a ball and invited all persons of fashion to it; our young misses were also invited; for they cut a very grand figure among the quality. They were mightily delighted at this invitation, and wonderfully busy in chusing out such gowns, petticoats, and head-clothes, as might best become them. This was a new trouble to Cinderilla; for it was she who ironed her sisters linen, and clear-starched their ruffles; they talked all day long of nothing, but how they should be drest, and were continually looking in their glasses.
For my part, said the eldest, I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimmings. And I, said the youngest, shall only have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold flowered mantua, and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world. They sent for the best tirewomen they could get, to make up their head-dressess, and adjust their double pinners, and had their red brushes and patches from Madamaoisella De la Pouche.
Cinderilla was likewise called up to be consulted in all those matters, for she had excellent notions, and advised them always for the best; nay and offered her service to dress their heads, which they were very willing she should do. As she was doing this, they said to her Cinderilla, would you not be glad to go to the ball? Ah! said she, you only jeer me, it is not for such as I am to go to balls. Thou art in the right of it, replied they; it would make the people laugh to see a Cinderbreech at a ball. Any one but Cinderilla would have dressed their heads awry; but she was very good and dressed them perfectly well. They were almost two days without eating, so much were they transported with joy; they broke a dozen of laces, in trying to be laced up close, that they might have a fine slender shape.
At last the happy day came, they went to court, and Cinderilla followed them with her eyes as long as she could, and when she had lost sight of them, she fell a crying.
Her god-mother, who saw her all in tears asked her what was the matter? I wish I could———I wish I could. She was not able to speak the rest, being interrupted by her tears and sobbing. This god-mother of her’s, who was a fairy, said to her, Thou wishest thou couldest go to the ball? Is it not so? Y—es, cried Cinderilla, with a great sigh. Well said her godmother, be but a good girl, and I will contrive that thou shalt go; run into the garden, and bring me a pompion. Cinderilla went immediately, gathered the finest she could get and brought it to her godmother; but was not able to imagine how this pompion could make her go to the ball. Her god-mother scooped out all the inside of it, leaving nothing but the rind; which done, she struck it with her wand, and the pompion was instantly turned into a fine coach, gilt all over with gold.
She then went to look into her mouse-trap, where she found six mice all alive, and ordered Cinderilla to lift up the trap-door a little, when giving each mouse, as it went out, a little tap with her wand, the mice were that moment turned into horses, which altogether made a very fine set of fix horses, of a beautiful jet black. See here the reward for every good girl and boy.
Being at a loss for a coachman, I will go and see, says Cinderilla, if there be ever a rat in the rat-trap; we may make a coachman of him. Thou art in the right, replied her god-mother, go and look. Cinderilla brought the trap to her, and in it were three huge rats. The fairy made choice of one of the three which had the largest beard, and having touched him with her wand, he was instantly turned into a fat jolly coachman, with a pair of the smartest and most beautiful whiskers that eyes ever beheld.
After that, she said to Cinderilla, Go again into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the watering pot, bring them to me. She had no sooner done it, than her god mother turned them into six beautiful well dressed footman, who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their clothes all trimmed with gold and silver, and clung as close behind each other, as if they had done nothing else all their whole lives. The Fairy then said to Cinderilla, Well, you see here an equipage fit to go to the ball? are you not pleased with it? O yes! cried she; I am extremely well pleased with it; but must I go thither as I am; in these nasty poisoned rags? Her god-mother only touched her with her wand, and at the same instant, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, bedecked with the richest jewels that ever were seen in any prince’s retinue, in the whole world. This done, she gave her a pair of glass slippers, which for beauty and elegance, far surpassed any thing of the kind ever seen before.
Being thus dressed out, she got up into the coach; but her god-mother above all things commanded her not to stay till after midnight, telling her at the same time, if she staid at the ball any longer than twelve o’clock, her coach would be a pampion again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes become just as they were before
She promised her god-mother she would not fail of leaving the ball before it was midnight; and then away she drove, scarce able to contain herself for joy. The King’s son, who was told that a great princess whom nobody knew was come, ran out to receive her; he gave her his hand as she lighted out of the coach, and led her into the room among all the company. There was immediately a profound silence; they left off dancing and the violins ceased to play; so attentive was every one to contemplate the singular beauty of this unknown new-comer. Nothing was then heard, but a confused noise of Ha! how handsome she is! how handsome she is! the King himself could not help telling the Queen softly, That it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful and lovely a creature All the ladies were busy in considering her clothes and head-dress, that they might have some made the next day after the same pattern, provided they could meet with such fine materials and as able hands to make them. The King's son conducted her to the most honourable seat, and afterwards took her out to dance with him; she danced so very gracefully, that they all more and more admired her. A fine collation was served up, whereof the young prince ate not a morsel, so intently was he busy in gazing on her. She went and sat down by her sisters, shewing them a thousand civilities, giving them a part of the oranges and citrons which the prince had presented her with; which very much surprised them, for they did not know her. While Cinderilla was thus amusing her sisters, she heard the clock strike eleven and three quarters; whereupon she immediately made a courtesy, end hasted away as fast as she could.
Being got home, she ran to seek out her god-mother; and after having thanked her, she said she could not but heartily wish she might go next day to the ball, because the king’s son had desired, her. As she was eagerly telling her god mother whatever passed at the ball, her two sisters knocked at the door, which Cinderilla ran and opened. How long you have stayed, cried she, gaping, rubbing her eyes, and stretching herself as if she had been just awaked out of her sleep: She had not however, any manner of inclination to sleep since they went from home. If thou hadst been at the ball, said her sisters, thou wouldest not have been tired with it; there came thither the finest princess, the most beautiful ever seen with mortal eyes; she shewed us a thousand civilities; and gave us oranges and citrons. Cinderilla seemed very indifferent in the matter; indeed she asked the name of that princess; but they told her, they did not know it; and that the king’s son was very uneasy on her account, and would give all the world to know where she was. At this Cinderilla smiling, replied, she must then be very beautiful indeed. Bless me! How happy you have keen! Could I not see her? Ah! dear Miss Charlotte, do lend me your yellow suit of clothes which you wear every day: Ah! to be sure, cries Miss Charlotte, send my clothes to such a dirty Cinder-breech as thou art, who’s the fool then? Cinderilla indeed expected some such answer; and was very glad of the refusal; for she would have been sadly put to it, if her sister had lent her in earnest, what she asked for jestingly.
The next day the two sisters were at the ball; and so was Cinderilla, but dressed more magnificently than before. The king’s son was always by her, and never ceased his compliments and amorous speeches to her; to whom all this was so far from being tiresome, that she quite forgot what her godmother had recommended to her; so that she at last counted the clock striking twelve, when she took it to be no more than eleven; she then rose up and fled as nimbly as a deer. The prince followed, but could not overtake her; she left behind one of her glass slippers, fellow to that she dropped. The guards at the palace were asked. If they had not seen a princess go out? who said, They had seen nobody go out, but a young girl, very meanly, drest, who had more the air of a poor country girl, than a gentlewoman.
When the two sisters returned from the ball, Cinderilla asked them, if they had been well diverted and if the fine lady had been there? They told her, yes, but that she hurried away immediately when it struck twelve, and with so much haste, that she dropped one of her little glass slippers, the prettiest in the world, and which the king's son had taken up; that he had done nothing but looked at her all the time of the ball, and that certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful person who owned the little glass slipper.
What they said was very true; for a few days after, the king’s son caused it to be proclaimed, by sound of trumpet, that he would marry her, whose foot that slipper would just fit. They whom he employed, began to try it upon the princesses, then the dutchesses, and all the court, but in vain; it was then brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could to thrust a foot into the slipper, but they could not effect it. Cinderilla, who saw all this, and knew her slipper, said to them laughing, Let me see if it will not fit me? Her sisters burst out a laughing, and began to banter. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper, looked earnestly to Cinderilla, and finding her very handsome, said, It was but just that she should try, and that he had orders to let every one make trial.
He obliged Cinderilla to sit down, and putting the slipper to her foot, he found it went on very easily, and fitted her as if it had been made of wax. The amazement her two sisters were in, was excessively great, but still abundantly greater, when Cinderilla pulled out of her pocket the other slipper, and put it on her foot. Thereupon in came her god-mother, who having touched with her wand, Cinderilla’s clothes, made them richer, and more magnificent than any of those she had before.
When her two sisters found her, to be the beautiful lady they had seen before at the ball, they threw themselves at her feet, and begged pardon for the ill treatment they had made her undergo. Cinderilla took them up, and as she embraced them said. That she forgave them with all her heart, and desired them always to love her.
She was conducted to the young prince, who married her. Cinderilla, who was no less good than beautiful, gave her two sisters lodgings in the palace, and that same day matched them with two great lords of the court.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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