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Cinderella 2 -
Invitation to the Ball
It happened that the king's son gave a ball, to which he invited
all the nobility; and, as our two young ladies made a great figure
in the world, they were included in the list of invitations. So
they began to be very busy choosing what head-dress and which gown
would be the most becoming. Here was fresh work for poor
Cinderella: for it was she, forsooth, who was to starch and get up
their ruffles, and iron all their fine linen; and nothing but dress
was talked about for days together.
"I," said the eldest, "shall
put on my red velvet dress, with my point-lace trimmings."
"And I,"
said the younger sister, "shall wear my usual petticoat, but shall
set it off with my gold brocaded train and my circlet of
diamonds."
They sent for a clever tire-woman to prepare the double rows of
quilling for their caps, and they purchased a quantity of
fashionably cut patches. They called in Cinderella to take her
advice, as she had such good taste, and Cinderella not only advised
them well, but offered to dress their hair, which they were pleased
to accept.
While she was thus busied, the sisters said to her:
"And
pray, Cinderella, would you like to go to the ball?"
"Nay, you are mocking me," replied the poor girl; "it is not for
such as I to go to balls."
"True enough," rejoined they; "folks
would laugh to see a Cinderella at a court ball."
These two step-sisters were very cruel to Cinderella, and
ill-used her much. Ah! what sweet friends are our own born
sisters!—there can be no substitutes like them in the whole
wide world.
Any other but Cinderella would have dressed their hair awry to
punish them for their impertinence, but she was so good-natured
that she dressed them most becomingly. Although they disdained her,
and while they would themselves make a great figure in the world,
sought to degrade and lower her, see how the lovely disposition of
Cinderella shines out. Although she was not allowed to go to the
ball of the king's son, she not only advised them well how they
could array themselves to appear to the best advantage, but she
even—what greatness of heart to do that!—with her own
hands dresses their hair, and in the most becoming manner her
delicate taste can suggest.
The two sisters were so delighted, that they scarcely ate a
morsel for a couple of days. They spent their whole time before a
looking-glass, and they would be laced so tight, to make their
waists as slender as possible, that more than a dozen stay-laces
were broken in the attempt.
The long-wished-for evening came at last, and these proud misses
stepped into the carriage and drove away to the palace. Cinderella
looked after the coach as far as she could see, and then returned
to the kitchen in tears; where, for the first time, she bewailed
her hard and cruel degradation.
Next: 3 - Fairy Godmother
cinderella
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