Page 156 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

saw this unhappy Princess, though they knew
her not, tears rushed into their eyes, either
from reflections upon the vicissitudes of this
life, which affected them, or that they were
touched by an instinct of nature, which will
often make itself felt. But what did the wicked
Queen think of a return so unexpected, and so
contrary to her wishes? She cast so furious a

look at Feintise, that she sincerely desired the
earth would open and swallow her up.
The King presented the beautiful children to
his mother, saying a thousand kind things of
them; and in spite of the uneasiness she
endured, she received them graciously, and
looked upon them as favourably as though she

loved them, for dissimulation was in vogue
even at that time. The feast passed off very
gaily, although the King was very much
distressed to see his wife eating with the
whelps, as the meanest of all creatures; but
having resolved to be as complaisant as
possible to his mother, who obliged him to re-
marry, he left everything to her orders.
At the end of the repast, the King addressed

himself to Belle-Etoile. "I know," said he,
"you are in possession of three treasures
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