"Avenant!" repeated the princess, "That is a pretty name; perhaps the
youth is pretty too."
"So beautiful," said the ladies of honour, "that while he stood under
the palace-window we could do nothing but look at him."
"How silly of you!" sharply said the princess. But she desired them to
bring her robe of blue satin to comb out her long hair, and adorn it
with the freshest garland of flowers; to give her her high-heeled
shoes, and her fan. "Also," added she, "take care that my
audience-chamber is well swept and my throne well dusted. I wish in
everything to appear as becomes the Fair One with Golden Locks."
This done, she seated herself on her throne of ivory and ebony, and
gave orders for her musicians to play, but softly, so as not to
disturb conversation. Thus, shining in all her beauty, she admitted
Avenant to her presence.
He was so dazzled that at first he could not speak: then he began and
delivered his harangue to perfection.
"Gentle Avenant," returned the princess, after listening to all his
reasons for her returning with him, "your arguments are very strong,
and I am inclined to listen to them; but you must first find for me a
ring, which I dropped into the river about a month ago. Until I
recover it, I can listen to no propositions of marriage."
Avenant, surprised and disturbed, made her a profound reverence and
retired, taking with him the basket and the little dog Cabriole, which
she refused to accept.
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