He had waited a whole year for his bride , and at last she had arrived . She was a Russian Princess , and had driven all the way from Finland in a sledge drawn by six reindeer . The sledge was shaped like a great golden swan , and between the swan 's wings lay the little Princess herself . Her long ermine-cloak reached right down to her feet , on her head was a tiny cap of silver tissue , and she was as pale as the Snow Palace in which she had always lived . So pale was she that as she drove through the streets all the people wondered . `` She is like a white rose ! '' they cried , and they threw down flowers on her from the balconies . At the gate of the Castle the Prince was waiting to receive her . He had dreamy violet eyes , and his hair was like fine gold . When he saw her he sank upon one knee , and kissed her hand . `` Your picture was beautiful , '' he murmured , `` but you are more beautiful than your picture '' ; and the little Princess blushed . `` She was like a white rose before , '' said a young Page to his neighbour , `` but she is like a red rose now '' ; and the whole Court was delighted . For the next three days everybody went about saying , `` White rose , Red rose , Red rose , White rose '' ; and the King gave orders that the Page 's salary was to be doubled . As he received no salary at all this was not of much use to him , but it was considered a great honour , and was duly published in the Court Gazette . When the three days were over the marriage was celebrated . It was a magnificent ceremony , and the bride and bridegroom walked hand in hand under a canopy of purple velvet embroidered with little pearls . Then there was a State Banquet , which lasted for five hours . The Prince and Princess sat at the top of the Great Hall and drank out of a cup of clear crystal . Only true lovers could drink out of this cup , for if false lips touched it , it grew grey and dull and cloudy . `` It 's quite clear that they love each other , '' said the little Page , `` as clear as crystal ! ''
and the XXXXX doubled his salary a second time .
Banquet Finland King Palace Prince Princess neighbour right sledge year