11
most distinguished seats, and, placing himself by her side, begged she would allow him to bring her some fruit or jellies. These she refused with great politeness, and he then requested to have the honour of dancing with her. Cinderella gavo a smiling consent, and the delighted prince immediately led her out to the centre of the ball-room.
The music struck up, and the dance commenced; but if the beauty, elegant figure, and the splendour of Cinderella's dress, had before drawn the attention and admiration of every person in tho room, the astonishment which was excited by her dancing it is impossible to describe. Tho gracofulnoss of all her attitudes, and the airy lightness with which she moved, drew forth a general murmur of admiration, which, as the prince lod her off, changed into tho loudest acclamations of applause.
A magnificent collation was served up, consisting of most delicious fruits, confectionary, and wines; but so much was the young prince engaged in attending to Cinderella, that he did not eat one morsel during the wholo of the evening.
Cinderella was seated near her sisters, to whom she frequontly spoke, and gavo them a part of the fine delicacies which she had received from the prince; but they entertained not the slightest suspicion who she was.
During her conversation with them, Cindorella heard the clock strike eleven and throe quarters, and she immediately rose, took a hurried leave of them, and returned home in her carriago.
On ontering the houso, she found her godmother waiting, to whom sho related all that had taken place at the ball, and thanked her a thousand times for the pleasuro she had enjoyed. She then told the Fairy, there was to bo another ball on tho following evening, to which tho prince had given her a very pressing invitation, and modestly signified the happiness it would afford hor to be present on that occasion.
Her godmothor had just promised to gratify her wishes, when a loud knocking announced the arrival of her sisters.
On their entrance, Cinderella, whe pretended te be
