He led her into a magnificent hall , where all the Court was assembled , and himself taking up the golden bowl full of water , he offered it to her that she might dip her pretty fingers into it . At this the Princess could no longer contain herself ; throwing herself at the King 's feet , she cried out : `` My dream has come true after all -- you have offered me water to wash my hands on my sister 's wedding day , and it has not vexed you to do it . '' The King recognized her at once -- indeed , he had already thought several times how much like his poor little Miranda she was . `` Oh ! my dear daughter , '' he cried , kissing her , `` can you ever forget my cruelty ? I ordered you to be put to death because I thought your dream portended the loss of my crown . And so it did , '' he added , `` for now your sisters are both married and have kingdoms of their own -- and mine shall be for you . '' So saying he put his crown on the Princess 's head and cried : `` Long live Queen Miranda ! '' All the Court cried : `` Long live Queen Miranda ! '' after him , and the young Queen 's two sisters came running up , and threw their arms round her neck , and kissed her a thousand times , and then there was such a laughing and crying , talking and kissing , all at once , and Miranda thanked her father , and began to ask after everyone -- particularly the Captain of the Guard , to whom she owed so much ; but , to her great sorrow , she heard that he was dead . Presently they sat down to the banquet , and the King asked Miranda to tell them all that had happened to her since the terrible morning when he had sent the Captain of the Guard to fetch her . This she did with so much spirit that all the guests listened with breathless interest . But while she was thus enjoying herself with the King and her sisters , the King of the Sheep was waiting impatiently for the time of her return , and when it came and went , and no Princess appeared , his anxiety became so great that he could bear it no longer . `` She is not coming back any more , '' he cried . `` My miserable sheep 's face displeases her , and without Miranda what is left to me , wretched creature that I am ! Oh ! cruel Ragotte ; my punishment is complete . '' For a long time he bewailed his sad fate like this , and then , seeing that it was growing dark , and that still there was no sign of the Princess , he set out as fast as he could in the direction of the town . When he reached the palace he asked for Miranda , but by this time everyone had heard the story of her adventures , and did not want her to go back again to the King of the Sheep , so they refused sternly to let him see her . In vain he begged and prayed them to let him in ; though his entreaties might have melted hearts of stone they did not move the guards of the palace , and at last , quite broken-hearted , he fell dead at their feet .
In the meantime the King , who had not the least idea of the sad thing that was happening outside the gate of his palace , proposed to XXXXX that she should be driven in her chariot all round the town , which was to be illuminated with thousands and thousands of torches , placed in windows and balconies , and in all the grand squares .
Captain Guard King Miranda Princess Ragotte day entreaties left morning