"What," said she to the ambassador, "your master does not find me
handsome enough, or rich enough?"
"Madam," said the ambassador, "as much as a subject dare blame a
sovereign, I blame my prince; had I the first throne in the world, I
should know to whom to offer it."
He said this, because he feared the bastinado, for Ethiopians are warm
haters as well as warm lovers. The Black Princess was softened, and
dismissed him, on which he gladly took himself out of the country.
But the Ethiopian lady was too deeply offended with Prince Warrior to
pardon him so readily. She mounted her ivory car, drawn by six
ostriches which ran at the rate of six leagues an hour, and went to
the palace of her godmother, the Fairy of the Fountain, who had been
so offended by being forgotten at the birth of Desiree. Arrived
there, she unfolded all her annoyances. The fairy consoled her, and
promised to aid her in her revenge.
Meantime Becafico had travelled with all diligence to the capital of
Desiree's father, where with earnest entreaties he begged that the
princess might be sent back with him to her betrothed spouse, who
otherwise would certainly die; at which tidings the princess herself
was so much moved that she fainted away. Thus her parents discovered
how deeply in love she was with Prince Warrior.
"Do not disquiet yourself, my dear child," said the queen; "if the
prince suffers, it is you who can console him.
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