“Do they bring beautiful women with them?” asked the King.
“It is impossible that they should be surpassed,” was the reply, which did not seem to please the King.
The elder brothers entered first. The King received them kindly but could not choose between them. He turned to the youngest and said, “This time you come alone.”
“Your Majesty,” said the Prince, “will find in the crystal chair a little white cat which mews so prettily and has such soft paws that I am sure you will be charmed with her.”
The King smiled and went to draw back the curtains, but the Princess, by touching a spring, shattered the crystal and stood forth like the sun appearing from behind a cloud. Her fair hair floated over her shoulders; her soft white robe was lined with pink. She bowed gracefully before the King, who exclaimed, “This is the matchless woman who deserves my crown!”
“Sire,” she said, “I am not come to deprive you of a crown you fill so worthily. [[178]]I have by inheritance six kingdoms; permit me to offer one to you and give one to each of your sons. I ask no other return but your friendship and your consent to my marriage with your youngest son. We shall have quite enough with three kingdoms.”
The King and all the court were carried away with joy and astonishment. The three weddings took place at once. Many months were spent in festivities. Then each King and Queen went to rule their own kingdom, and all lived happily ever after. [[179]]