It was truly a speaking likeness of the young Prince.
Desiree's father and mother were delighted when they heard that the
Prince Guerrier was seeking their daughter's hand in marriage, for
they knew him to be a brave and noble young man. But as it still
wanted three months to the Princess's fifteenth year, warned by
the Fairy Tulip, who had taken Desiree under her special care, they
refused to let him see their daughter or to let her yet marry the
Prince Guerrier, but they showed her the Prince's portrait, with
which she was greatly pleased, and particularly when it said, "Lovely
Desiree, you cannot imagine how ardently I am waiting for you; come
soon into our Court to make it beautiful by your presence."
[Illustration]
When Prince Guerrier saw the ambassador return without Desiree, he
was so terribly disappointed that he could neither eat nor sleep, and
before long fell dangerously ill.
Meanwhile Desiree had no less pleasure in looking at the Prince's
portrait than he had had admiring hers, and this was soon discovered
by those around her, and among others Giroflee and Longue Epine, her
maids of honour.
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