said the Queen , `` have you not heard that you are a Princess ? '' `` I was told so a little while ago , madam , but how could I believe it without a single proof ? '' `` Ah ! dear child , '' said the Queen , `` the way you speak assures me that , in spite of your humble upbringing , you are indeed a real princess , and I can save you from being treated in such a way again . '' She was interrupted at this moment by the arrival of a very handsome young man . He wore a coat of green velvet fastened with emerald clasps , and had a crown of pinks on his head . He knelt upon one knee and kissed the Queen 's hand . `` Ah ! '' she cried , `` my pink , my dear son , what a happiness to see you restored to your natural shape by Felicia 's aid ! '' And she embraced him joyfully . Then , turning to Felicia , she said : `` Charming Princess , I know all the hen told you , but you can not have heard that the zephyrs , to whom was entrusted the task of carrying my son to the tower where the Queen , your mother , so anxiously waited for him , left him instead in a garden of flowers , while they flew off to tell your mother . Whereupon a fairy with whom I had quarrelled changed him into a pink , and I could do nothing to prevent it . `` You can imagine how angry I was , and how I tried to find some means of undoing the mischief she had done ; but there was no help for it . I could only bring Prince Pink to the place where you were being brought up , hoping that when you grew up he might love you , and by your care be restored to his natural form . And you see everything has come right , as I hoped it would . Your giving me the silver ring was the sign that the power of the charm was nearly over , and my enemy 's last chance was to frighten you with her army of rats . That she did not succeed in doing ; so now , my dear Felicia , if you will be married to my son with this silver ring your future happiness is certain . Do you think him handsome and amiable enough to be willing to marry him ? '' `` Madam , '' replied Felicia , blushing , `` you overwhelm me with your kindness . I know that you are my mother 's sister , and that by your art you turned the soldiers who were sent to kill me into cabbages , and my nurse into a hen , and that you do me only too much honor in proposing that I shall marry your son .
How can I explain to you the cause XXXXX my hesitation ?
by for if in into of so to while without