Presently the whole party rode away through the courtyard gates—all excepting one, and that one no other than Mellidora.
She slipped down from her horse and went swiftly across to where the old woman sat upon the stone steps leading up to the big castle doors. All her anger was gone, but she looked the picture of misery.
The prince could see how Mellidora stooped to pick up the broken cake and tried to put it together again, and how kindly she put her arm round the old woman’s shoulder, coaxing her with friendly words.
And when presently he came down into the courtyard to see what more might be done, the sun shone upon Mellidora’s gentle face, and he saw that her eyes were full of tears.
Then the prince knew that he had indeed found the one whom he sought, for here was a maiden who not only laughed when others cried, but who also cried when others laughed.
The old woman was taken to the King’s son, where she was so kindly received that she forgot all her troubles.
But the prince waited no longer.
That very same day he asked Mellidora to marry him, and as she loved him as much as he did her they got married very soon and lived happily ever after.