` Oh , monster , ' cried Toupette , bursting into tears , ` is that all the comfort you can give me ? ' ` But , Toupette , ' answered Cornichon ; ` you used to declare that you did not care for beauty , as long as you had my heart . ' ` Yes , I know , ' said she , ` but how can you go on caring for a person who is as old and plain as I ? ' ` Toupette , Toupette , ' replied Cornichon , ` you are only talking nonsense . My heart is as much yours as ever it was , and nothing in the world can make any difference . ' At this point of the conversation the Prince Zeprady entered the room , with the news that the genius , full of regret for his behaviour , had given Cornichon full permission to depart for Bagota as soon as he liked , and to take Toupette with him ; adding that , though he begged they would excuse his taking leave of them before they went , he hoped , before long , to visit them at Bagota . Neither of the lovers slept that night -- Cornichon from joy at returning home , Toupette from dread of the blow to her vanity which awaited her at Bagota . It was hopeless for Cornichon to try to console her during the journey with the reasons he had given the day before . She only grew worse and worse , and when they reached the palace went straight to her old apartments , entreating the fairy to allow both herself and Cornichon to remain concealed , and to see no one . For some time after their arrival the fairy was taken up with the preparations for the rejoicings which were to celebrate the peace , and with the reception of the genius , who was determined to do all in his power to regain Selnozoura 's lost friendship . Cornichon and Toupette were therefore left entirely to themselves , and though this was only what they wanted , still , they began to feel a little neglected . At length , one morning , they saw from the windows that the fairy and the genius were approaching , in state , with all their courtiers in attendance . Toupette instantly hid herself in the darkest corner of the room , but Cornichon , forgetting that he was now no longer a boy of fourteen , ran to meet them . In so doing he tripped and fell , bruising one of his eyes severely . At the sight of her lover lying helpless on the floor , Toupette hastened to his side ; but her feeble legs gave way under her , and she fell almost on top of him , knocking out three of her loosened teeth against his forehead . The fairy , who entered the room at this moment , burst into tears , and listened in silence to the genius , who hinted that by-and-by everything would be put right . ` At the last assembly of the fairies , ' he said , ` when the doings of each fairy were examined and discussed , a proposal was made to lessen , as far as possible , the mischief caused by Dindonette by enchanting the fountain . And it was decided that , as she had meant nothing but kindness , she should have the power of undoing one half of the spell . Of course she might always have destroyed the fatal fountain , which would have been best of all ; but this she never thought of . Yet , in spite of this , her heart is so good , that I am sure that the moment she hears that she is wanted she will fly to help .
Only , before she comes , it is XXXXX you , Madam , to make up your mind which of the two shall regain their former strength and beauty . '
In after as at for from of that though under