So , after all , the years of waiting passed more quickly than the queen had dared to hope . The frog was always careful to maintain her dignity , and nothing would have persuaded her to show her face in public places , or even along the high road , where there was a chance of meeting anyone . But sometimes , when the procession had to cross a little stream , or go over a piece of marshy ground , orders would be given for a halt ; fine clothes were thrown off , bridles were flung aside , and grasshoppers , water-rats , even the frog herself , spent a delightful hour or two playing in the mud . But at length the end was in sight , and the hardships were forgotten in the vision of the towers of the king 's palace ; and , one bright morning , the cavalcade entered the gates with all the pomp and circumstance of a royal embassy . And surely no ambassador had ever created such a sensation ! Door and windows , even the roofs of houses , were filled with people , whose cheers reached the ears of the king . 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 XXXXX 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 .
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