(A sound of a trumpet heard.)
Mab.—Why, what can that be?
(Mother and daughters rush to back to look out of window.)
C.—(Aside.) Oh, if it were the prince!
M.—It is a magnificent herald—the herald we saw last night! He is reading a proclamation to the people, and the prince is behind him!
C.—The Prince!! (Waves to Prince, unseen by the others.)
(The Herald stops outside the window.)
H.—(In a loud voice.) "Be it known to all the loyal subjects of Prince Charming, our lord and master, that yesterday evening, at the ball, an embroidered silver slipper was picked up. The prince has commanded that the said slipper shall be carried through the length and breadth of his dominions, until he finds the owner of it. When the owner of it is discovered, that said owner shall become the Princess Charming, and shall share our lord and master's throne."
M.—My dear girls, what a chance for you! If you can put on the shoe, you will become the princess.
Mab.—The herald is stopping before this door. Quick! quick! Let us sit in pretty attitudes.