Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 20, 2025
To this the prince only replied that on that point he had a witness who could prove, better than anyone else, if it was Toupette or not, and desired that Cornichon should be sent for.
They replied that since Toupette had been in their charge she had never left her rooms unveiled, and that during her walks in the surrounding gardens, her food had been brought in and placed on her table; as she preferred to eat alone no one had ever seen her face, or knew what she was like. The servants were clearly speaking the truth, and Kristopo was obliged to believe them.
And, as she spoke, Cornichon was led in, smiling with the foolishness of extreme old age at the sight of the gay crowd. 'Bring him here, commanded the fairy, waving her hand towards Toupette, who started back from surprise and horror.
Toupette had taken her place, but where was the bridegroom? 'Fetch Cornichon! said the fairy to her chamberlain. But Toupette interposed: 'Oh, Madam, spare him, I entreat you, this bitter pain, and let him remain hidden and in peace. 'It is necessary that he should be here, answered the fairy, 'and he will not regret it.
Cornichon and Toupette were therefore left entirely to themselves, and though this was only what they wanted, still, they began to feel a little neglected. At length, one morning, they saw from the windows that the fairy and the genius were approaching, in state, with all their courtiers in attendance.
Kristopo, hardly less astonished than they were at the sudden change, thought that it was a joke on the part of one of his courtiers, who had hidden Toupette away, and put this elderly lady in her place. Bursting with rage, he sent instantly for all the servants and guards of the town, and inquired who had the insolence to play him such a trick, and what had become of their prisoner.
While the most charming women of the court will fall victims to my youth and strength, I shall think of nothing but how to lay them at your feet, and pay heart-felt homage to your age and wrinkles. 'Not so fast, interrupted Toupette, 'I don't see why you should have it all. Why do you heap such humiliations upon me? But I will trust to the justice of the fairy, who will not treat me so.
Neither of the lovers slept that night Cornichon from joy at returning home, Toupette from dread of the blow to her vanity which awaited her at Bagota. It was hopeless for Cornichon to try to console her during the journey with the reasons he had given the day before.
'I quite forgot to fix the time when Cornichon should in his turn grow young. How stupid of me! And now I fear it is too late, for I ought to have declared it before I touched Toupette with the ring. Oh, dear! oh, dear! why did nobody warn me?
At these words the fairy's soul sank. Both Cornichon and Toupette were equally dear to her, and how could she favour one at the cost of the other? As to the courtiers, none of the men were able to understand why she hesitated a second to declare for Toupette; while the ladies were equally strong on the side of Cornichon.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking