But not in this dreadful place . We will return at once to Bagota , and the festivities shall be the most brilliant ever seen . ' They all returned to the vessel , and in a few hours the four thousand five hundred miles that lay between the island and Bagota were passed . Everyone was surprised to see the change which the short absence had made in the young people , but as the fairy had promised absolute silence about the adventure , they were none the wiser , and busied themselves in preparing their dresses for the marriage , which was fixed for the next night . Early on the following morning the genius Kristopo arrived at the Court , on one of the visits he was in the habit of paying his ward from time to time . Like the rest , he was astonished at the sudden improvement in the child . He had always been fond of her , and in a moment he fell violently in love . Hastily demanding an audience of the fairy , he laid his proposals before her , never doubting that she would give her consent to so brilliant a match . But Selnozoura refused to listen , and even hinted that in his own interest Kristopo had better turn his thoughts elsewhere . The genius pretended to agree , but , instead , he went straight to Toupette 's room , and flew away with her through the window , at the very instant that the bridegroom was awaiting her below . When the fairy discovered what had happened , she was furious , and sent messenger after messenger to the genius in his palace at Ratibouf , commanding him to restore Toupette without delay , and threatening to make war in case of refusal . Kristopo gave no direct answer to the fairy 's envoys , but kept Toupette closely guarded in a tower , where the poor girl used all her powers of persuasion to induce him to put off their marriage . All would , however , have been quite in vain if , in the course of a few days , sorrow , joined to the spell of the magic water , had not altered her appearance so completely that Kristopo was quite alarmed , and declared that she needed amusement and fresh air , and that , as his presence seemed to distress her , she should be left her own mistress . But one thing he declined to do , and that was to send her back to Bagota . In the meantime both sides had been busily collecting armies , and Kristopo had given the command of his to a famous general , while Selnozoura had placed Cornichon at the head of her forces . But before war was actually declared , Toupette 's parents , who had been summoned by the genius , arrived at Ratibouf . They had never seen their daughter since they parted from her as a baby , but from time to time travellers to Bagota had brought back accounts of her beauty . What was their amazement , therefore , at finding , instead of a lovely girl , a middle-aged woman , handsome indeed , but quite faded -- looking , in fact , older than themselves . Kristopo , hardly less astonished than they were at the sudden change , thought that it was a joke on the part of one of his courtiers , who had hidden Toupette away , and put this elderly lady in her place . Bursting with rage , he sent instantly for all the servants and guards of the town , and inquired who had the insolence to play him such a trick , and what had become of their prisoner .
They replied that since XXXXX had been in their charge she had never left her rooms unveiled , and that during her walks in the surrounding gardens , her food had been brought in and placed on her table ; as she preferred to eat alone no one had ever seen her face , or knew what she was like .
Bagota Cornichon Kristopo Ratibouf Selnozoura Toupette days hours left war