The Queen, who had espied the Princess’s marvellous hair, was enchanted with the sight, and at once thought she would like to have her for a maid-of-honour. “Such a person in my train would make me the eighth wonder of the world,” she said to herself.
“Will you come back with me to the palace?” she inquired aloud. “I will admit you into my household.”
Moonflower fell upon her knees and thanked her.
“Get into the chariot,” said the Queen, “and let us be off!”
“But we must have him too,” said the King, pointing to Grimaçon, “for he is a brave little fellow and speaks well.” And he directed one of the men-at-arms to place him before him on his horse.
“This is the second ride of the sort I have had lately,” observed Grimaçon to himself, “but I think it is likely to end better than the last!”
When they arrived at the palace the Princess was appointed to a place among the Queen’s maids-of-honour; they gave her a white satin gown covered with golden lilies to match her hair, in which she looked more beautiful and brilliant than the seven stars of heaven. Grimaçon was still allowed to attend upon her. The King had a great regard for him, and esteemed his talents and good sense very highly.
The Queen’s maids had, upon the whole, a very pleasant existence; it is true that she led them the life of dogs now and then, for her temper was very bad, and she was a proud, jealous woman. But, as the Court was gay, they amused themselves capitally and joined in all the festivities. They had balls three times a week and hunting-parties every day. At the hunting-parties Moonflower rode a magnificent strawberry-coloured mare, with a silver bridle and shoes, while Grimaçon ambled by her side on a huge mastiff, which had been trained to carry him, and which he managed to perfection.
The King was so much attracted by the lovely Princess that he cared to speak to none but her. At all the balls he chose her as his partner, and at all the hunting-parties he rode beside her; but, unhappily, the more his admiration for her increased, the more the other maids-of-honour resented it, and spared no pains in annoying and mortifying her.
“There is no living at court now that this wretched Moonflower has come,” they said to one another; and at last they determined to do their best to set the Queen-mother against her.