There was Cinderella , the grandmother of the reigning monarch , with her little foot in her glass slipper thrust out before her . There was the Marquis de Carabas , who , as everyone knows , was raised to the throne as prince consort after his marriage with the daughter of the king of the period . On the arm of the throne was seated his celebrated cat , wearing boots . There , too , was a portrait of a beautiful lady , sound asleep : this was Madame La Belle au Bois-dormant , also an ancestress of the royal family . Many other pictures of celebrated persons were hanging on the walls . `` You have asked all the right people , my dear ? '' said the king . `` Everyone who should be asked , '' answered the queen . `` People are so touchy on these occasions , '' said his majesty . `` You have not forgotten any of our aunts ? '' `` No ; the old cats ! '' replied the queen ; for the king 's aunts were old-fashioned , and did not approve of her , and she knew it . `` They are very kind old ladies in their way , '' said the king ; `` and were nice to me when I was a boy . '' Then he waited a little , and remarked : `` The fairies , of course , you have invited ? It has always been usual , in our family , on an occasion like this ; and I think we have neglected them a little of late . '' `` How can you be so absurd ? '' cried the queen . `` How often must I tell you that there are no fairies ? And even if there were -- but , no matter ; pray let us drop the subject . '' `` They are very old friends of our family , my dear , that 's all , '' said the king timidly .
`` Often and often they have been godmothers XXXXX us .
On as before for if in like of that to