When the Princess Desiree was fourteen years old, the Queen had her
portrait painted, and copies of it were carried to all the Courts
in the world. All the Princes admired it greatly, but there was one
Prince, named Guerrier, who loved it above everything; he used to
stand before the picture and avow his passion, just as if it heard
what he said, and at last he told the King, his father.
"You have resolved that I shall marry the Princess Noire, but this I
can never do, so great is my love for the Princess Desiree."
"But where have you seen her?" enquired the King.
The Prince hastened to fetch her portrait, and the King was so greatly
struck by Desiree's beauty that he agreed to follow his son's wishes
and break off his engagement with the Princess Noire, that he might
wed the Princess Desiree. So the King despatched as ambassador a rich
young lord named Becafigue.
Becafigue was devoted to Prince Guerrier, and he fitted out a most
splendid retinue to visit the Princess Desiree's Court. Besides
numerous magnificent presents, Becafigue took with him the Prince's
portrait, which had been painted by such a clever artist that it would
speak; it could not exactly answer questions, but could make certain
remarks.
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