He only answered : ' I will obey . ' He had really been present , invisible , at the council of princesses , and had heard all ; but he had made up his mind to drink of the philtre , and sacrifice himself to the happiness of her he loved . Not wishing , however , to cut a poor figure at the ball by the side of the other dancers , he went at once to the laurels , and said : ` My lovely rose laurel , with the golden rake I have raked thee , with the golden bucket I have watered thee , with a silken towel I have dried thee . Dress me like a prince . ' A beautiful pink flower appeared . Michael gathered it , and found himself in a moment clothed in velvet , which was as black as the eyes of the little Princess , with a cap to match , a diamond aigrette , and a blossom of the rose laurel in his button-hole . Thus dressed , he presented himself that evening before the Duke of Beloeil , and obtained leave to try and discover his daughters ' secret . He looked so distinguished that hardly anyone would have known who he was . XIV The twelve princesses went upstairs to bed . Michael followed them , and waited behind the open door till they gave the signal for departure . This time he did not cross in Lina 's boat . He gave his arm to the eldest sister , danced with each in turn , and was so graceful that everyone was delighted with him . At last the time came for him to dance with the little Princess . She found him the best partner in the world , but he did not dare to speak a single word to her . When he was taking her back to her place she said to him in a mocking voice : ` Here you are at the summit of your wishes : you are being treated like a prince . ' ` Do n't be afraid , ' replied the Star Gazer gently . ` You shall never be a gardener 's wife . ' The little Princess stared at him with a frightened face , and he left her without waiting for an answer . When the satin slippers were worn through the fiddles stopped , and the negro boys set the table . Michael was placed next to the eldest sister , and opposite to the youngest .
They gave him the most exquisite dishes XXXXX eat , and the most delicate wines to drink ; and in order to turn his head more completely , compliments and flattery were heaped on him from every side .
At as by like of that through till to with