The Prince considered that he had earned the kingdom fairly twice over but still he was too well bred to argue about it , so he just went back to his gorgeous chariot , and , surrounded by his escort , returned to the White Cat faster than he had come . This time she was expecting him , the path was strewn with flowers , and a thousand braziers were burning scented woods which perfumed the air . Seated in a gallery from which she could see his arrival , the White Cat waited for him . `` Well , King 's son , '' she said , `` here you are once more , without a crown . '' `` Madam , '' said he , `` thanks to your generosity I have earned one twice over ; but the fact is that my father is so loth to part with it that it would be no pleasure to me to take it . '' `` Never mind , '' she answered , `` it 's just as well to try and deserve it . As you must take back a lovely princess with you next time I will be on the look-out for one for you . In the meantime let us enjoy ourselves ; to-night I have ordered a battle between my cats and the river rats on purpose to amuse you . '' So this year slipped away even more pleasantly than the preceding ones . Sometimes the Prince could not help asking the White Cat how it was she could talk . `` Perhaps you are a fairy , '' he said . `` Or has some enchanter changed you into a cat ? '' But she only gave him answers that told him nothing . 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 , XXXXX a trembling hand , cut off the little white head .
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