They sent for the Star Gazer, and asked him how he had contrived to learn their secret; but still he remained silent.
Then, in commanding tones, the eldest sister gave him the order they had agreed upon.
He only answered:
`I will obey.'
He had really been present, invisible, at the council of princesses, and had heard all; but he had made up his mind to drink of the philtre, and sacrifice himself to the happiness of her he loved.
Not wishing, however, to cut a poor figure at the ball by the side of the other dancers, he went at once to the laurels, and said:
`My lovely rose laurel, with the golden rake I have raked thee, with the golden bucket I have watered thee, with a silken towel Ihave dried thee.Dress me like a prince.'
A beautiful pink flower appeared.Michael gathered it, and found himself in a moment clothed in velvet, which was as black as the eyes of the little Princess, with a cap to match, a diamond aigrette, and a blossom of the rose laurel in his button-hole.
Thus dressed, he presented himself that evening before the Duke of Beloeil, and obtained leave to try and discover his daughters'
secret.He looked so distinguished that hardly anyone would have known who he was.
XIV
The twelve princesses went upstairs to bed.Michael followed them, and waited behind the open door till they gave the signal for departure.
This time he did not cross in Lina's boat.He gave his arm to the eldest sister, danced with each in turn, and was so graceful that everyone was delighted with him.At last the time came for him to dance with the little Princess.She found him the best partner in the world, but he did not dare to speak a single word to her.
When he was taking her back to her place she said to him in a mocking voice:
`Here you are at the summit of your wishes: you are being treated like a prince.'
`Don't be afraid,' replied the Star Gazer gently.`You shall never be a gardener's wife.'
The little Princess stared at him with a frightened face, and he left her without waiting for an answer.
When the satin slippers were worn through the fiddles stopped, and the negro boys set the table.Michael was placed next to the eldest sister, and opposite to the youngest.
They gave him the most exquisite dishes to eat, and the most delicate wines to drink; and in order to turn his head more completely, compliments and flattery were heaped on him from every side.
But he took care not to be intoxicated, either by the wine or the compliments.
XV
At last the eldest sister made a sign, and one of the black pages brought in a large golden cup.
`The enchanted castle has no more secrets for you,' she said to the Star Gazer.`Let us drink to your triumph.'
He cast a lingering glance at the little Princess, and without hesitation lifted the cup.
`Don't drink!' suddenly cried out the little Princess; `I would rather marry a gardener.'
And she burst into tears.
Michael flung the contents of the cup behind him, sprang over the table, and fell at Lina's feet.The rest of the princes fell likewise at the knees of the princesses, each of whom chose a husband and raised him to her side.The charm was broken.
The twelve couples embarked in the boats, which crossed back many times in order to carry over the other princes.Then they all went through the three woods, and when they had passed the door of the underground passage a great noise was heard, as if the enchanted castle was crumbling to the earth.
They went straight to the room of the Duke of Beloeil, who had just awoke.Michael held in his hand the golden cup, and he revealed the secret of the holes in the shoes.
`Choose, then,' said the Duke, `whichever you prefer.'
`My choice is already made,' replied the garden boy, and he offered his hand to the youngest Princess, who blushed and lowered her eyes.
XVI
The Princess Lina did not become a gardener's wife; on the contrary, it was the Star Gazer who became a Prince: but before the marriage ceremony the Princess insisted that her lover should tell her how he came to discover the secret.
So he showed her the two laurels which had helped him, and she, like a prudent girl, thinking they gave him too much advantage over his wife, cut them off at the root and threw them in the fire.
And this is why the country girls go about singing:
Nous n'irons plus au bois, Les lauriers sont coupes,'
and dancing in summer by the light of the moon.