jaws of the horrible monster, hoping he would swallow me, as he had already swallowed all I loved in the world. He was equally willing to do so; but the Fairies, still more cruel than the Dragon, would not permit it. 'She must be reserved,' they cried, 'for more protracted agony; a speedy death is too mild a punishment for this unworthy creature!' They touched me, and I immediately found myself assume the form of a White Cat. They conducted me to this superb palace, which belonged to my father.[1] They transformed all the lords and ladies of the kingdom into cats, left only the hands visible of the rest of his court, and reduced me to the deplorable condition in which you found me, after informing me of my birth, the death of my father and mother, and that I could only be released from my cat-like form by a prince, who should perfectly resemble the husband they had deprived me of. It is you, my Lord, who bear that resemblance," continued she; "you have the same features, the same air, the same voice. I was struck by it the moment I saw you. I was aware of all that has happened, and I am equally so of all that will happen. My troubles are about to end." "And mine, lovely Queen," said the Prince, flinging himself at her feet; "how long are they to last?" "I already love you more than my life, my Lord," said the Queen; "you must return to your father; we will ascertain his sentiments respecting me, and whether he will consent to what you desire."
She went out of the castle, the Prince gave her his hand; she got into a chariot with him. It was much more magnificent than those she had previously provided for him. The rest of the equipage corresponded with it to such an extent, that the horses were all shod with emeralds, the nails being diamonds; such a thing has perhaps never been seen except on that occasion. I shall not repeat the agreeable conversation that took place between the Queen and the Prince on their journey. If her beauty was matchless, her mind was no less so, and the young Prince was equally perfect, so that they interchanged all sorts of charming ideas.
When they reached the neighbourhood of the castle, in which the Prince was to meet his two elder brothers, the
