And the next day , when the king summoned her into his presence , the girl told him what she wanted . ` Madam , I can refuse you nothing , ' said he ; and he ordered the dress to be ready in twenty-four hours , or every man should be hanged . They set to work with all their might , and by dawn next day , the dress of moonbeams was laid across her bed . The girl , though she could not help admiring its beauty , began to cry , till the fairy , who heard her , came to her help . ` Well , I could not have believed it of him ! ' said she ; ` but ask for a dress of sunshine , and I shall be surprised indeed if he manages that ! ' The goddaughter did not feel much faith in the fairy after her two previous failures ; but not knowing what else to do , she told her father what she was bid . The king made no difficulties about it , and even gave his finest rubies and diamonds to ornament the dress , which was so dazzling , when finished , that it could not be looked at save through smoked glasses ! When the princess saw it , she pretended that the sight hurt her eyes , and retired to her room , where she found the fairy awaiting her , very much ashamed of herself . ` There is only one thing to be done now , ' cried she ; ` you must demand the skin of the ass he sets such store by . It is from that donkey he obtains all his vast riches , and I am sure he will never give it to you . ' The princess was not so certain ; however , she went to the king , and told him she could never marry him till he had given her the ass 's skin . The king was both astonished and grieved at this new request , but did not hesitate an instant . The ass was sacrificed , and the skin laid at the feet of the princess . -LSB- Illustration : The Fairy , The Princess & The Donkey 's Skin -RSB- The poor girl , seeing no escape from the fate she dreaded , wept afresh , and tore her hair ; when , suddenly , the fairy stood before her . ` Take heart , ' she said , ` all will now go well ! Wrap yourself in this skin , and leave the palace and go as far as you can . I will look after you . Your dresses and your jewels shall follow you underground , and if you strike the earth whenever you need anything , you will have it at once . But go quickly : you have no time to lose . '
So the princess clothed herself in the ass 's skin , and slipped XXXXX the palace without being seen by anyone .
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