Days go by so quickly when one is very happy that it is certain the Prince would never have thought of its being time to go back , when one evening as they sat together the White Cat said to him that if he wanted to take a lovely princess home with him the next day he must be prepared to do what she told him . `` Take this sword , '' she said , `` and cut off my head ! '' `` I ! '' cried the Prince , `` I cut off your head ! Blanchette darling , how could I do it ? '' `` I entreat you to do as I tell you , King 's son , '' she replied . The tears came into the Prince 's eyes as he begged her to ask him anything but that -- to set him any task she pleased as a proof of his devotion , but to spare him the grief of killing his dear Pussy . But nothing he could say altered her determination , and at last he drew his sword , and desperately , with a trembling hand , cut off the little white head . But imagine his astonishment and delight when suddenly a lovely princess stood before him , and , while he was still speechless with amazement , the door opened and a goodly company of knights and ladies entered , each carrying a cat 's skin ! They hastened with every sign of joy to the Princess , kissing her hand and congratulating her on being once more restored to her natural shape . She received them graciously , but after a few minutes begged that they would leave her alone with the Prince , to whom she said : `` You see , Prince , that you were right in supposing me to be no ordinary cat . My father reigned over six kingdoms . The Queen , my mother , whom he loved dearly , had a passion for traveling and exploring , and when I was only a few weeks old she obtained his permission to visit a certain mountain of which she had heard many marvelous tales , and set out , taking with her a number of her attendants . On the way they had to pass near an old castle belonging to the fairies . Nobody had ever been into it , but it was reported to be full of the most wonderful things , and my mother remembered to have heard that the fairies had in their garden such fruits as were to be seen and tasted nowhere else . She began to wish to try them for herself , and turned her steps in the direction of the garden . On arriving at the door , which blazed with gold and jewels , she ordered her servants to knock loudly , but it was useless ; it seemed as if all the inhabitants of the castle must be asleep or dead . Now the more difficult it became to obtain the fruit , the more the Queen was determined that have it she would . So she ordered that they should bring ladders , and get over the wall into the garden ; but though the wall did not look very high , and they tied the ladders together to make them very long , it was quite impossible to get to the top . `` The Queen was in despair , but as night was coming on she ordered that they should encamp just where they were , and went to bed herself , feeling quite ill , she was so disappointed .
In the middle XXXXX the night she was suddenly awakened , and saw to her surprise a tiny , ugly old woman seated by her bedside , who said to her : '' ' I must say that we consider it somewhat troublesome of your Majesty to insist upon tasting our fruit ; but to save you annoyance , my sisters and I will consent to give you as much as you can carry away , on one condition -- that is , that you shall give us your little daughter to bring up as our own . ' ''
before by for in of over that to while with