Meanwhile the fairies began bestowing their gifts on the Princess. Accordingly, as soon as they rose from table, she went and hid herself behind the hangings, in order to be the last to speak, and so enable herself to repair, as far as possible, any harm the old fairy might have done.
One of the young fairies, who chanced to be near her, overheard her grumblings, and was afraid she might bestow some evil gift on the young Princess. The old fairy thought she was treated with contempt, and muttered some threats between her teeth. The King ordered a cover to be laid for her, but there was no possibility of giving her a massive gold case, such as the others had, because there had been only seven made expressly for the seven fairies. The table was magnificently laid for them, and each had placed for her a massive gold case, containing a spoon, a fork, and a knife of fine gold, set with diamonds and rubies.īut as they were all taking their seats, there was seen to enter an old fairy, who had not been invited, for everyone thought that she was either dead or enchanted, as she had not been outside the tower in which she lived for upwards of fifty years. When the ceremony was over, all the company returned to the King's palace, where a great banquet had been prepared for the fairies. For godmothers, they gave the young Princess all the fairies they could find in the country-they were seven in number-in order that each making her a gift, according to the custom of fairies in those days, the Princess might, by these means, become possessed of all imaginable perfections.
Vows, pilgrimages, everything was tried, but nothing was of any avail at length, however, a little daughter was born to them. There were once a King and Queen, who were very unhappy at not having any children, more unhappy than words can tell.
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