But the prince 's condition grew rapidly so much worse that the king , in despair , promised to send an embassy at once to Desiree 's father . This news cured the young man in an instant of all his ills ; and he began to plan out every detail of dress and of horses and carriages which were necessary to make the train of the envoy , whose name was Becasigue , as splendid as possible . He longed to form part of the embassy himself , if only in the disguise of a page ; but this the king would not allow , and so the prince had to content himself with searching the kingdom for everything that was rare and beautiful to send to the princess . Indeed , he arrived , just as the embassy was starting , with his portrait , which had been painted in secret by the court painter . The king and queen wished for nothing better than that their daughter marry into such a great and powerful family , and received the ambassador with every sign of welcome . They even wished him to see the princess Desiree , but this was prevented by the fairy Tulip , who feared some ill might come of it . ` And be sure you tell him , ' added she , ` that the marriage can not be celebrated till she is fifteen years old , or else some terrible misfortune will happen to the child . ' So when Becasigue , surround by his train , made a formal request that the princess Desiree might be given in marriage to his master 's son , the king replied that he was much honoured , and would gladly give his consent ; but that no one could even see the princess till her fifteenth birthday , as the spell laid upon her in her cradle by a spiteful fairy , would not cease to work till that was past . The ambassador was greatly surprised and disappointed , but he knew too much about fairies to venture to disobey them , therefore he had to content himself with presenting the prince 's portrait to the queen , who lost no time in carrying it to the princess . As the girl took it in her hands it suddenly spoke , as it had been taught to do , and uttered a compliment of the most delicate and charming sort , which made the princess flush with pleasure . ` How would you like to have a husband like that ? ' asked the queen , laughing . ` As if I knew anything about husbands ! ' replied Desiree , who had long ago guessed the business of the ambassador . ` Well , he will be your husband in three months , ' answered the queen , ordering the prince 's presents to be brought in . The princess was very pleased with them , and admired them greatly , but the queen noticed that all the while her eyes constantly strayed from the softest silks and most brilliant jewels to the portrait of the prince . The ambassador , finding that there was no hope of his being allowed to see the princess , took his leave , and returned to his own court ; but here a new difficulty appeared . The prince , though transported with joy at the thought that Desiree was indeed to be his bride , was bitterly disappointed that she had not been allowed to return with Becasigue , as he had foolishly expected ; and never having been taught to deny himself anything or to control his feelings , he fell as ill as he had done before . He would eat nothing nor take pleasure in anything , but lay all day on a heap of cushions , gazing at the picture of the princess . ` If I have to wait three months before I can marry the princess I shall die ! '
was all this spoilt boy would say ; and at length the king , in despair , resolved to send a fresh embassy to Desiree 's father XXXXX implore him to permit the marriage to be celebrated at once . '
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