The Princess, astonished at this sight, asked the men for whom they were working.
"For the Prince Tufty Riquet," answered the head cook, "for to-morrow is his wedding day."
The Princess, more surprised than ever, all at once recollected that it was just a year ago that very day that she had promised to marry the ugly Tufty Riquet.
"TO THINK IT OVER SHE WENT INTO THE WOOD."
The reason that she had not remembered her promise before was that she was foolish when she made it, and in becoming clever she had forgotten all her former stupidities.
She had only walked on a few steps further, when Riquet appeared before her, magnificently clad, as a Prince about to marry.
"Here you see me, madam," said he, "keeping my word, and I have no doubt that you also came here to keep yours, and by giving me your hand to make me the happiest of men."