embroiderers to work upon splendid dresses and ornaments for
Turritella, but she told the King that Fiordelisa had no need of
anything new, and the night before the King was to arrive, she
bribed her waiting woman to steal away all the Princess's own
dresses and jewels, so that when the day came, and Fiordelisa
wished to adorn herself as became her high rank, not even a
ribbon could she find.

However, as she easily guessed who had played her such a trick,
she made no complaint, but sent to the merchants for some rich
stuffs. But they said that the Queen had expressly forbidden them
to supply her with any, and they dared not disobey. So the
Princess had nothing left to put on but the little white frock
she had been wearing the day before; and dressed in that, she
went down when the time of the King's arrival came, and sat in a
corner hoping to escape notice. The Queen received her guest with
great ceremony, and presented him to her daughter, who was
gorgeously attired, but so much splendour only made her ugliness
more noticeable, and the King, after one glance at her, looked
the other way. The Queen, however, only thought that he was
bashful, and took pains to keep Turritella in full view. King
Charming then asked it there was not another Princess, called
Fiordelisa.

'Yes,' said Turritella, pointing with her finger, 'there she is,
trying to keep out of sight because she is not smart.'

At this Fiordelisa blushed, and looked so shy and so lovely, that
the King was fairly astonished. He rose, and bowing low before
her, said--