The servants were clearly speaking the truth , and Kristopo was obliged to believe them . ` But , ' thought he , ` if they have not had a hand in this , it must be the work of the fairy , ' and in his anger he ordered the army to be ready to march . On her side , Selnozoura of course knew what the genius had to expect , but was deeply offended when she heard of the base trick which she was believed to have invented . Her first desire was to give battle to Kristopo at once , but with great difficulty her ministers induced her to pause , and to send an ambassador to Kristopo to try to arrange matters . So the Prince Zeprady departed for the court of Ratibouf , and on his way he met Cornichon , who was encamped with his army just outside the gates of Bagota . The Prince showed him the fairy 's written order that for the present peace must still be kept , and Cornichon , filled with longing to see Toupette once more , begged to be allowed to accompany Zeprady on his mission to Ratibouf . By this time the genius 's passion for Toupette , which had caused all these troubles , had died out , and he willingly accepted the terms of peace offered by Zeprady , though he informed the prince that he still believed the fairy to be guilty of the dreadful change in the girl . To this the prince only replied that on that point he had a witness who could prove , better than anyone else , if it was Toupette or not , and desired that Cornichon should be sent for . When Toupette was told that she was to see her old lover again , her heart leapt with joy ; but soon the recollection came to her of all that had happened , and she remembered that Cornichon would be changed as well as she . The moment of their meeting was not all happiness , especially on the part of Toupette , who could not forget her lost beauty , and the genius , who was present , was at last convinced that he had not been deceived , and went out to sign the treaty of peace , followed by his attendants . ` Ah , Toupette : my dear Toupette ! ' cried Cornichon , as soon as they were left alone ; ` now that we are once more united , let our past troubles be forgotten . ' ` Our past troubles ! ' answered she , ` and what do you call our lost beauty and the dreadful future before us ? You are looking fifty years older than when I saw you last , and I know too well that fate has treated me no better ! ' ` Ah , do not say that , ' replied Cornichon , clasping her hand , ` You are different , it is true ; but every age has its graces , and surely no woman of sixty was ever handsomer than you ! If your eyes had been as bright as of yore they would have matched badly with your faded skin . The wrinkles which I notice on your forehead explain the increased fulness of your cheeks , and your throat in withering is elegant in decay . Thus the harmony shown by your features , even as they grow old , is the best proof of their former beauty . ` Oh , monster , ' cried Toupette , bursting into tears , ` is that all the comfort you can give me ? '
` But , XXXXX , ' answered Cornichon ; ` you used to declare that you did not care for beauty , as long as you had my heart . '
Bagota Kristopo Prince Ratibouf Toupette Zeprady first fulness left years