At last it was decided that Michael should be put to the test;
that they would take him to the ball, and at the end of supper would
give him the philtre which was to enchant him like the rest.

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 I
have 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.