I am not in the service of the King , madam , ' answered he , ` but in yours . ' ` In mine ? ' said the Princess with great surprise . ` Then how is it that I have never seen you before ? ' ` Ah , Princess ! ' said he , ' I have never before dared to present myself to you , but now the King 's marriage threatens you with so many dangers that I have resolved to tell you at once how much I love you already , and I trust that in time I may win your regard . I am Prince Percinet , of whose riches you may have heard , and whose fairy gift will , I hope , be of use to you in all your difficulties , if you will permit me to accompany you under this disguise . ' ` Ah , Percinet ! ' cried the Princess , ` is it really you ? I have so often heard of you and wished to see you . If you will indeed be my friend , I shall not be afraid of that wicked old Duchess any more . ' So they went back to the palace together , and there Graciosa found a beautiful horse which Percinet had brought for her to ride . As it was very spirited he led it by the bridle , and this arrangement enabled him to turn and look at the Princess often , which he did not fail to do . Indeed , she was so pretty that it was a real pleasure to look at her . When the horse which the Duchess was to ride appeared beside Graciosa 's , it looked no better than an old cart horse , and as to their trappings , there was simply no comparison between them , as the Princess 's saddle and bridle were one glittering mass of diamonds . The King had so many other things to think of that he did not notice this , but all his courtiers were entirely taken up with admiring the Princess and her charming Page in green , who was more handsome and distinguished-looking than all the rest of the court put together . When they met the Duchess Grumbly she was seated in an open carriage trying in vain to look dignified . The King and the Princess saluted her , and her horse was brought forward for her to mount . But when she saw Graciosa 's she cried angrily : ` If that child is to have a better horse than mine , I will go back to my own castle this very minute . What is the good of being a Queen if one is to be slighted like this ? '
Upon this the King commanded Graciosa to dismount and XXXXX beg the Duchess to honour her by mounting her horse .
As before for if in like of that to with