However , he had no time to attend to such matters just then , as , after nine years , he had at last consented to the entreaties of his courtiers , and was on the eve of celebrating his second marriage . The frog 's heart beat high when her litter drew up before the steps of the palace , and leaning forward she beckoned to her side one of the guards who were standing in his doorway . ' I wish to see his Majesty , ' said he . ` His Majesty is engaged , and can see no one , ' answered the soldier . ` His Majesty will see ME , ' returned the frog , fixing her eye upon him ; and somehow the man found himself leading the procession along the gallery into the Hall of Audience , where the king sat surrounded by his nobles arranging the dresses which everyone was to wear at his marriage ceremony . All stared in surprise as the procession advanced , and still more when the frog gave one bound from the litter on to the floor , and with another landed on the arm of the chair of state . ' I am only just in time , sire , ' began the frog ; ` had I been a day later you would have broken your faith which you swore to the queen nine years ago . ' ` Her remembrance will always be dear to me , ' answered the king gently , though all present expected him to rebuke the frog severely for her impertinence . But know , Lady Frog , that a king can seldom do as he wishes , but must be bound by the desires of his subjects . For nine years I have resisted them ; now I can do so no longer , and have made choice of the fair young maiden playing at ball yonder . ' ` You can not wed her , however fair she may be , for the queen your wife is still alive , and sends you this letter written in her own blood , ' said the frog , holding out the square of handkerchief as she spoke . ` And , what is more , you have a daughter who is nearly nine years old , and more beautiful than all the other children in the world put together . ' The king turned pale when he heard these words , and his hand trembled so that he could hardly read what the queen had written . Then he kissed the handkerchief twice or thrice , and burst into tears , and it was some minutes before he could speak . When at length he found his voice he told his councillors that the writing was indeed that of the queen , and now that he had the joy of knowing she was alive he could , of course , proceed no further with his second marriage . This naturally displeased the ambassadors who had conducted the bride to court , and one of them inquired indignantly if he meant to put such an insult on the princess on the word of a mere frog . ' I am not a `` mere frog , '' and I will give you proof of it , ' retorted the angry little creature . And putting on her cap , she cried : Fairies that are my friends , come hither ! ' And in a moment a crowd of beautiful creatures , each one with a crown on her head , stood before her . Certainly none could have guessed that they were the snails , water-rats , and grasshoppers from which she had chosen her retinue .
At a sign from the frog the fairies danced a ballet , with which everyone was so delighted that they begged XXXXX have to repeated ; but now it was not youths and maidens who were dancing , but flowers .
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