Page 159 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

equerry's face, to whom the children were
under obligations. He was a man of great
merit, but he was very ugly, and he had
likewise lost an eye. As soon as the water
touched him he became so handsome, no one
recognised him, and his eye was restored. The
King, who loved him dearly, was as much
delighted at this occurrence as the Queen-

Mother was displeased to hear the applause
that was bestowed upon the Princes. After
silence was restored, Belle-Etoile placed the
singing apple upon the water; it was made out
of a single ruby, surrounded by diamonds,
with a branch of amber; it commenced so
harmonious a concert, that a hundred

musicians would have been less effective. This
enchanted the King and all his Court, whose
admiration increased when Belle-Etoile drew
from her muff a little golden cage, of beautiful
workmanship, in which was the green bird
that told everything; it was fed upon diamond
dust, and drank only the water from distilled
pearls. She took it very gently and placed it on
the apple, which was silent out of respect, and

to give the bird the opportunity of talking; its
feathers were so beautifully delicate, that they
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