` What can it be ? ' she asked , turning to her guide ; who answered : ` Oh , that is the fairies ' palace , and here are some of them coming to meet us . ' As she spoke the gates swung back and six fairies approached , each bearing in her hand a flower made of precious stones , but so like a real one that it was only by touching you could tell the difference . ` Madam , ' they said , ` we know not how to thank you for this mark of your confidence , but have the happiness to tell you that in a short time you will have a little daughter . ' The queen was so enchanted at this news that she nearly fainted with joy ; but when she was able to speak , she poured out all her gratitude to the fairies for their promised gift . ` And now , ' she said , ' I ought not to stay any longer , for my husband will think that I have run away , or that some evil beast has devoured me . ' In a little while it happened just as the fairies had foretold , and a baby girl was born in the palace . Of course both the king and queen were delighted , and the child was called Desiree , which means ` desired , ' for she had been ` desired ' for five years before her birth . At first the queen could think of nothing but her new plaything , but then she remembered the fairies who had sent it to her . Bidding her ladies bring her the posy of jewelled flowers which had been given her at the palace , she took each flower in her hand and called it by name , and , in turn , each fairy appeared before her . But , as unluckily often happens , the one to whom she owed the most , the crab-fairy , was forgotten , and by this , as in the case of other babies you have read about , much mischief was wrought . However , for the moment all was gaiety in the palace , and everybody inside ran to the windows to watch the fairies ' carriages , for no two were alike . One had a car of ebony , drawn by white pigeons , another was lying back in her ivory chariot , driving ten black crows , while the rest had chosen rare woods or many-coloured sea-shells , with scarlet and blue macaws , long-tailed peacocks , or green love-birds for horses . These carriages were only used on occasions of state , for when they went to war flying dragons , fiery serpents , lions or leopards , took the place of the beautiful birds . The fairies entered the queen 's chamber followed by little dwarfs who carried their presents and looked much prouder than their mistresses . One by one their burdens were spread upon the ground , and no one had ever seen such lovely things . Everything that a baby could possibly wear or play with was there , and besides , they had other and more precious gifts to give her , which only children who have fairies for godmothers can ever hope to possess . They were all gathered round the heap of pink cushions on which the baby lay asleep , when a shadow seemed to fall between them and the sun , while a cold wind blew through the room . Everybody looked up , and there was the crab-fairy , who had grown as tall as the ceiling in her anger . ` So I am forgotten ! '
cried she , in a voice so loud XXXXX the queen trembled as she heard it .
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