But after that he came again many times and at last I consented to marry him , but the question was how was I to escape from my tower . The fairies always supplied me with flax for my spinning , and by great diligence I made enough cord for a ladder that would reach to the foot of the tower ; but , alas ! just as my prince was helping me to descend it , the crossest and ugliest of the old fairies flew in . Before he had time to defend himself my unhappy lover was swallowed up by the dragon . As for me , the fairies , furious at having their plans defeated , for they intended me to marry the king of the dwarfs , and I utterly refused , changed me into a white cat . When they brought me here I found all the lords and ladies of my father 's court awaiting me under the same enchantment , while the people of lesser rank had been made invisible , all but their hands . `` As they laid me under the enchantment the fairies told me all my history , for until then I had quite believed that I was their child , and warned me that my only chance of regaining my natural form was to win the love of a prince who resembled in every way my unfortunate lover . `` And you have won it , lovely Princess , '' interrupted the Prince . `` You are indeed wonderfully like him , '' resumed the Princess -- `` in voice , in features , and everything ; and if you really love me all my troubles will be at an end . '' `` And mine too , '' cried the Prince , throwing himself at her feet , `` if you will consent to marry me . '' `` I love you already better than anyone in the world , '' she said ; `` but now it is time to go back to your father , and we shall hear what he says about it . '' So the Prince gave her his hand and led her out , and they mounted the chariot together ; it was even more splendid than before , and so was the whole company . Even the horses ' shoes were of rubies with diamond nails , and I suppose that is the first time such a thing was ever seen . As the Princess was as kind and clever as she was beautiful , you may imagine what a delightful journey the Prince found it , for everything the Princess said seemed to him quite charming . When they came near the castle where the brothers were to meet , the Princess got into a chair carried by four of the guards ; it was hewn out of one splendid crystal , and had silken curtains , which she drew round her that she might not be seen . The Prince saw his brothers walking upon the terrace , each with a lovely princess , and they came to meet him , asking if he had also found a wife . He said that he had found something much rarer -- a white cat ! At which they laughed very much , and asked him if he was afraid of being eaten up by mice in the palace . And then they set out together for the town . Each prince and princess rode in a splendid carriage ; the horses were decked with plumes of feathers , and glittered with gold .
After them XXXXX the youngest prince , and last of all the crystal chair , at which everybody looked with admiration and curiosity .
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