And directly they were married they set off on the black charger, and when they reached the Great White Rat they told their tale.
“And now,” said the Prince joyously, “if you will change her into a lady again we will go home at once and begin living happily ever after.”
The Great White Rat looked at them gravely.
“It’s impossible,” he said. “I am sorry, but the effects of the Magic Cat’s-eye are permanent. Once a mouse, always a mouse, if you get moused by the Magic Cat’s-eye.”
The Prince and the Mouse looked sadly at each other. This was the last thing they had expected. The Great White Rat looked at them earnestly. Then he said—
“If it would be of any use to you, I’ve got another Magic Cat’s-eye.”
He held it out. The Prince took it gladly. Kingdom and the life of a king were nothing to him compared with the love and happiness of a Real-Kitchen-Maid disguised as a mouse. He put the stone to his lips.
“You know what’ll happen if you do,” said the Great White Rat.
“I shall change into a mouse and live happy ever after,” said the Prince gaily.
“Perhaps,” said the Great White Rat, “nothing is impossible if people love each other enough.”