At first the Princess would not promise , but the nurse showed her so many good reasons for it that in the end she agreed to be amiable to her step-mother . Then the nurse dressed her in a robe of pale green and gold brocade , and combed out her long fair hair till it floated round her like a golden mantle , and put on her head a crown of roses and jasmine with emerald leaves . When she was ready nobody could have been prettier , but she still could not help looking sad . Meanwhile the Duchess Grumbly was also occupied in attiring herself . She had one of her shoe heels made an inch or so higher than the other , that she might not limp so much , and put in a cunningly made glass eye in the place of the one she had lost . She dyed her red hair black , and painted her face . Then she put on a gorgeous robe of lilac satin lined with blue , and a yellow petticoat trimmed with violet ribbons , and because she had heard that queens always rode into their new dominions , she ordered a horse to be made ready for her to ride . While Graciosa was waiting until the King should be ready to set out , she went down all alone through the garden into a little wood , where she sat down upon a mossy bank and began to think . And her thoughts were so doleful that very soon she began to cry , and she cried , and cried , and forgot all about going back to the palace , until she suddenly saw a handsome page standing before her . He was dressed in green , and the cap which he held in his hand was adorned with white plumes . When Graciosa looked at him he went down on one knee , and said to her : ` Princess , the King awaits you . ' The Princess was surprised , and , if the truth must be told , very much delighted at the appearance of this charming page , whom she could not remember to have seen before . Thinking he might belong to the household of the Duchess , she said : ` How long have you been one of the King 's pages ? ' ' I am not in the service of the King , madam , ' answered he , ` but in yours . ' ` In mine ? ' said the Princess with great surprise . ` Then how is it that I have never seen you before ? ' ` Ah , Princess ! ' said he , ' I have never before dared to present myself to you , but now the King 's marriage threatens you with so many dangers that I have resolved to tell you at once how much I love you already , and I trust that in time I may win your regard . I am Prince Percinet , of whose riches you may have heard , and whose fairy gift will , I hope , be of use to you in all your difficulties , if you will permit me to accompany you under this disguise . '
` Ah , XXXXX ! '
Duchess Grumbly King Percinet Princess attiring dominions jasmine petticoat plumes