"
"You surprise me, madam," said Riquet.
"I can quite believe that," said the Princess, "and if you were not
a good and clever man, I should not know how to act. But you are well
aware that it was when I was stupid I promised to marry you, but now,
as you may imagine, I am not so easily pleased."
"Except for my ugliness," said Riquet, "have you anything against me?
Do you object to my birth, my character, or my manners?"
"Not at all," replied the Princess, "I love those things in you."
"If that is so," answered Riquet, "I shall indeed be made happy,
because you can cause me to become the most delightful of men if only
you will desire it. For know, madam, the same fairy who at my birth
gave me the power to impart cleverness to whomsoever I should love,
gave you a gift also, that of being able to render beautiful the one
to whom you would grant this favour."
"If that is the case," exclaimed the Princess, "I desire with all my
heart that you might be the most handsome and pleasing Prince in the
world."
No sooner had the Princess uttered these words than her wish was
fulfilled, though some say that no change really took place in Riquet,
but that the Princess loved him now so much that all his ugliness was
seen as beauty by her eyes.
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