The Prince hastened to fetch her portrait, and the King was so greatly
struck by Desirée's beauty that he agreed to follow his son's wishes
and break off his engagement with the Princess Noire, that he might
wed the Princess Desirée. So the King despatched as ambassador a rich
young lord named Bécafigue.

Bécafigue was devoted to Prince Guerrier, and he fitted out a most
splendid retinue to visit the Princess Desirée's Court. Besides
numerous magnificent presents, Bécafigue took with him the Prince's
portrait, which had been painted by such a clever artist that it would
speak; it could not exactly answer questions, but could make certain
remarks. It was truly a speaking likeness of the young Prince.
Desirée'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 Desirée 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
Desirée, 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 Desirée, he
was so terribly disappointed that he could neither eat nor sleep, and
before long fell dangerously ill.

Meanwhile Desirée had no less pleasure in looking at the Prince's