Inside the carriage sat little puppets, who behaved
themselves just like live ladies and gentlemen.
When Troutina went to walk in the palace garden, Florina awaited her
in a green alley, and made the mice gallop, and the ladies and
gentlemen bow, till the princess was delighted, and ready to buy the
curiosity at any price. Again Florina exacted permission to pass the
night in the Chamber of Echoes; and again the king, undisturbed by her
lamentation, slept without waking till dawn.
The third day, one of the palace valets, passing her by, said, "You
stupid peasant-girl, it is well the king takes opium every night, or
you would disturb him by that terrible sobbing of yours."
"Does he so?" said the queen, now comprehending all. "Then if you will
promise to-night to keep the opium cup out of his way, these pearls
and diamonds," and she took a handful of them from her sack, "shall
assuredly be yours."
The valet promised; and then Florina broke her fourth egg, out of
which came a pie composed of birds, which, though they had been
plucked, baked, and made ready for the table, sang as beautifully as
birds that are alive. Troutina, charmed with this marvellous novelty,
bought it at the same price as the rest, adding generously a small
piece of gold.
When all the palace were asleep, Florina for the last time, hoping
King Charming would hear her, called upon him with all sorts of tender
expressions, reminding him of their former vows, and their two years
of happiness.
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