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All the ladies were busily studying her headdress and her ball-gown, that they might order the like next day for themselves, if only (vain hope!) they could find materials so exquisite and dressmakers clever enough.

The King’s son took her to the place of honour, and afterwards led her out to dance. She danced so gracefully that all admired her yet the more. A splendid supper was
served, but the young Princeate nothing of it, so intent was he on gazing upon her.

She went and sat by her sisters, who bridled with pleasure at the honour. She did them a thousand civilities, sharing with them the nectarines and citrons which the Princebrought her; and still not recognising her, they marvelled at this, being quite unused (as they never deserved) to be selected for attentions so flattering.

The King’s son now claimed her for another dance. It had scarcely come to an end when Cinderellaheard the clock strike the quarter to twelve; whereupon she instantly desired her partner to lead her to the Kingand Queen. “For I must be going,” she said.

“It is cruel of you to go so early,” he protested. “But at least you will come again to-morrow and grant me many dances?”

“Is there to be another ball, then, to-morrow?” she asked.

“To-morrow, yes; and as many morrows as you wish, if only you will come. ”

“Ah, if I could!” sighed Cinderellato herself: for she was young, and it seemed to her that she could never have enough of such evenings as this, though they went on for ever and ever.

The Princeled her to the daïs where sat the Kingand Queen. She made a deep reverence before them, a slighter but no less gracious one to the company, and withdrew. Although she had given no orders, her coach stood waiting for her. Slipping in, she was whisked home in the time it would take you to wink an eye.

She had scarcely entered the house, however, before she received a shock. For on the threshold of the kitchen, glancing down to make sure that her ball gown was not disarranged by this rapid journey, she perceived that it had vanished—changed back to the rags of her daily wear. But there, in the light of the hearth, stood her godmother, who smiled so pleasantly that Cinderellachoked down her little cry of disappointment.

“Well, child? And how have you fared?”

“Godmama, I have never been so happy in all my life! And it is all thanks to you!” But after thanking her, Cinderellacould not help confessing how she longed to go to the ball next evening. The King’s son had begged her to come again, and oh! if she had been able to promise!

“As to that, child,” said her godmother, “we will see about it when the time comes. But it has been lonely, keeping watch and sitting up for you. Will you not reward me by telling all about it?”

Cinderellaneeded no such invitation; she was dying to relate her adventures. She talked and talked, her godmother still smiling and questioning. For two hours, maybe, she talked and was still recollecting a score of things to tell when her sisters’ coach rumbled up to the gate, and almost at once there came a loud ring at the bell. She stared and rubbed her eyes, for at the first sound of it her godmother had vanished!

Cinderellaran and opened the door to her sisters. “What a long time you have stayed,” said she, yawning, rubbing her eyes, and stretching herself as though she had just waked out of sleep. (She had felt, however, no inclination at all to sleep since their departure!)