Then the king went out and ordered heralds and trumpeters to go through the town , summoning every maiden to the palace . And she whom the ring fitted would some day be queen . First came all the princesses , then all the duchesses ' daughters , and so on , in proper order . But not one of them could slip the ring over the tip of her finger , to the great joy of the prince , whom excitement was fast curing . At last , when the high-born damsels had failed , the shopgirls and chambermaids took their turn ; but with no better fortune . ` Call in the scullions and shepherdesses , ' commanded the prince ; but the sight of their fat , red fingers satisfied everybody . ` There is not a woman left , your Highness , ' said the chamberlain ; but the prince waved him aside . ` Have you sent for `` Donkey Skin , '' who made me the cake ? ' asked he , and the courtiers began to laugh , and replied that they would not have dared to introduce so dirty a creature into the palace . ` Let some one go for her at once , ' ordered the king . ' I commanded the presence of every maiden , high or low , and I meant it . ' The princess had heard the trumpets and the proclamations , and knew quite well that her ring was at the bottom of it all . She too , had fallen in love with the prince in the brief glimpse she had had of him , and trembled with fear lest someone else 's finger might be as small as her own . When , therefore , the messenger from the palace rode up to the gate , she was nearly beside herself with delight . Hoping all the time for such a summons , she had dressed herself with great care , putting on the garment of moonlight , whose skirt was scattered over with emeralds . But when they began calling to her to come down , she hastily covered herself with her donkey-skin and announced she was ready to present herself before his Highness . She was taken straight into the hall , where the prince was awaiting her , but at the sight of the donkey-skin his heart sank . Had he been mistaken after all ? ` Are you the girl , ' he said , turning his eyes away as he spoke , ` are you the girl who has a room in the furthest corner of the inner court of the farmhouse ? ' ` Yes , my lord , I am , ' answered she .
` Hold out your hand then , ' continued the prince , feeling XXXXX he must keep his word , whatever the cost , and , to the astonishment of every one present , a little hand , white and delicate , came from beneath the black and dirty skin .
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