She laughed all her suitors to scorn . And when her father urged her to choose one of them as her husband she drew herself up haughtily -- so -- '' The Story Girl sprang to her feet and for a moment we saw the proud princess of the old tale in all her scornful loveliness -- `` and she said , '' ' I will not wed until a king comes who can conquer all kings . Then I shall be the wife of the king of the world and no one can hold herself higher than I. ' `` So every king went to war to prove that he could conquer every one else , and there was a great deal of bloodshed and misery . But the proud princess laughed and sang , and she and her maidens worked at a wonderful lace veil which she meant to wear when the king of all kings came . It was a very beautiful veil ; but her maidens whispered that a man had died and a woman 's heart had broken for every stitch set in it . `` Just when a king thought he had conquered everybody some other king would come and conquer HIM ; and so it went on until it did not seem likely the proud princess would ever get a husband at all . But still her pride was so great that she would not yield , even though everybody except the kings who wanted to marry her , hated her for the suffering she had caused . One day a horn was blown at the palace gate ; and there was one tall man in complete armor with his visor down , riding on a white horse . When he said he had come to marry the princess every one laughed , for he had no retinue and no beautiful apparel , and no golden crown . '' ` But I am the king who conquers all kings , ' he said . '' ` You must prove it before I shall marry you , ' said the proud princess . But she trembled and turned pale , for there was something in his voice that frightened her . And when he laughed , his laughter was still more dreadful . '' ' I can easily prove it , beautiful princess , ' he said , ` but you must go with me to my kingdom for the proof . Marry me now , and you and I and your father and all your court will ride straightway to my kingdom ; and if you are not satisfied then that I am the king who conquers all kings you may give me back my ring and return home free of me forever more . ' `` It was a strange wooing and the friends of the princess begged her to refuse . But her pride whispered that it would be such a wonderful thing to be the queen of the king of the world ; so she consented ; and her maidens dressed her , and put on the long lace veil that had been so many years a-making . Then they were married at once , but the bridegroom never lifted his visor and no one saw his face . The proud princess held herself more proudly than ever , but she was as white as her veil . And there was no laughter or merry-making , such as should be at a wedding , and every one looked at every one else with fear in his eyes .
`` After the wedding the bridegroom lifted his bride before him on his white horse , and her father and all the members XXXXX his court mounted , too , and rode after them .
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