The Princess sent to each of the fairies a new spinning-wheel with a distaff of cedar wood , and the Queen said she must look through her treasures and find something very charming to send them also . When the Princess was arrayed in all the gorgeous things the Dwarf had brought , she was more beautiful than ever , and as she walked along the streets the people cried : ` How pretty she is ! How pretty she is ! ' The procession consisted of the Queen , the Princess , five dozen other princesses her cousins , and ten dozen who came from the neighbouring kingdoms ; and as they proceeded at a stately pace the sky began to grow dark , then suddenly the thunder growled , and rain and hail fell in torrents . The Queen put her royal mantle over her head , and all the princesses did the same with their trains . Mayblossom was just about to follow their example when a terrific croaking , as of an immense army of crows , rooks , ravens , screech-owls , and all birds of ill-omen was heard , and at the same instant a huge owl skimmed up to the Princess , and threw over her a scarf woven of spiders ' webs and embroidered with bats ' wings . And then peals of mocking laughter rang through the air , and they guessed that this was another of the Fairy Carabosse 's unpleasant jokes . The Queen was terrified at such an evil omen , and tried to pull the black scarf from the Princess 's shoulders , but it really seemed as if it must be nailed on , it clung so closely . ` Ah ! ' cried the Queen , ` can nothing appease this enemy of ours ? What good was it that I sent her more than fifty pounds of sweetmeats , and as much again of the best sugar , not to mention two Westphalia hams ? She is as angry as ever . ' While she lamented in this way , and everybody was as wet as if they had been dragged through a river , the Princess still thought of nothing but the ambassador , and just at this moment he appeared before her , with the King , and there was a great blowing of trumpets , and all the people shouted louder than ever . Fanfaronade was not generally at a loss for something to say , but when he saw the Princess , she was so much more beautiful and majestic than he had expected that he could only stammer out a few words , and entirely forgot the harangue which he had been learning for months , and knew well enough to have repeated it in his sleep . To gain time to remember at least part of it , he made several low bows to the Princess , who on her side dropped half-a-dozen curtseys without stopping to think , and then said , to relieve his evident embarrassment : ` Sir Ambassador , I am sure that everything you intend to say is charming , since it is you who mean to say it ; but let us make haste into the palace , as it is pouring cats and dogs , and the wicked Fairy Carabosse will be amused to see us all stand dripping here . When we are once under shelter we can laugh at her . ' Upon this the Ambassador found his tongue , and replied gallantly that the Fairy had evidently foreseen the flames that would be kindled by the bright eyes of the Princess , and had sent this deluge to extinguish them . Then he offered his hand to conduct the Princess , and she said softly : ` As you could not possibly guess how much I like you , Sir Fanfaronade , I am obliged to tell you plainly that , since I saw you enter the town on your beautiful prancing horse , I have been sorry that you came to speak for another instead of for yourself . So , if you think about it as I do , I will marry you instead of your master . Of course I know you are not a prince , but I shall be just as fond of you as if you were , and we can go and live in some cosy little corner of the world , and be as happy as the days are long . '
The Ambassador thought he must be dreaming , and could hardly believe what the lovely XXXXX said .
Carabosse Princess Queen distaff harangue ill-omen princesses screech-owls sweetmeats webs