Page 164 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

threw themselves at the King's feet—they
embraced his knees, they kissed his hands; he
stretched out his arms to them, he pressed
them to his heart; there was nothing heard but
sighs and exclamations of joy. The King arose,
and seeing the Queen, his wife, standing
timidly close to the wall, in a most humble
posture, ran to her, and bestowing on her a

thousand caresses, placed a chair for her
himself close to his, and made her sit down in
it.
Her children kissed her hands and feet a
thousand times; never had there been a more
tender and touching sight; every one wept and
raised their hands and eyes to heaven, to

return thanks for having permitted such
important circumstances to be brought to
light. The King thanked the princess, who had
intended to marry him, and presented her
with a large quantity of jewels. But for the
Queen-Mother, the admiral's wife, and
Feintise, what could he not have done to
them, if he had only been counselled by his
indignation! The tempest of his rage began to

lower, when the generous Queen, his
children, and Cheri entreated him to be
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