“No!  King’s son,” she continued, “I don’t think you are ungrateful.  Do this that I beseech you, and then we shall begin to be happy with one another, by the faith and honour of a cat, believe that I am truly your friend.”

Tears flowed from the Prince’s eyes even at the thought, and he said all that he could to avoid it, but she urged him so vehemently that at last he took his sword and tremblingly cut off the head and tail of his dear friend the Cat.

In the same moment took place the most marvellous change imaginable.

The body of the White Cat grew large, and was transformed into that of a girl; how, one could not say; one only knew it was so.  Her figure was majestic, her manners charming, her whole appearance beautiful beyond words.

Then there entered an immense number of lords and ladies, who carrying their cats’ skins, or with them thrown across their shoulders, came and cast themselves at the feet of the Queen, expressing their joy at seeing her again in her rightful form.

She received them all with a kindness which showed the goodness of her heart, and then turning to the Prince she told the story of her life, and how by a wicked enchantment she had been transformed into a White Cat.

“But it is you, my Prince, who have freed me,” she concluded; “as soon as I saw you I knew my troubles were at an end.”

They set out forthwith in a splendid carriage.  As they drew near the castle, at the place where the three brothers were to meet, the Queen entered into a little crystal rock ornamented with precious stones, and this was carried by richly dressed young men.

The Prince who had remained in the carriage, saw his brothers, approaching with wondrously beautiful ladies.

On being questioned he told them that all he had brought was a little White Cat.

[Illustration:  “THE BODY OF THE WHITE CAT GREW LARGE AND WAS TRANSFORMED INTO THAT OF A GIRL.”]

They began to laugh at him, and drove on followed by the young Prince, while after him was brought the crystal rock.

Arrived at the Palace the two elder Princes dismounted with their marvellous Princesses.

The King received them graciously, and did not know to which to award the prize.

He looked at his youngest son and said, “This time, then, you have come alone.”  “Your Majesty will see in this rock a little White Cat who mews sweetly and has soft little velvet paws,” answered the Prince.

The King smiled, and himself went to open the rock.  But, as he came near, the Queen, with a touch, made it shatter to pieces, and from out of it she appeared like the sun that has been hidden by clouds; her fair hair was spread over her shoulders, and fell in waves to her feet, and she was robed in a gown of white and rose-colour.

She made a deep curtsey to the King who, struck with admiration, could not help exclaiming,