_Prince._ What a lovely lady! she must be a princess. Tell me, fair lady, are you a princess from the land of flowers?

_Cinderella._ I am not a princess, sir, but only a girl from the land of happy thoughts.

_Prince._ You say well, fair lady, for no one can look upon you without thoughts of love and joy.

_Cinderella._ And you, great Prince, have thoughts of great and n.o.ble deeds, have you not?

_Prince._ Yes, I have thoughts of great deeds, of brave men and fair ladies, of games and victories,--but now I have forgotten all but you.

_Cinderella._ Will you remember me to-morrow or shall I fade away like the dreams of night?

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Prince._ No dreams could be fairer, but I hope you will not vanish as they do. If you do, I am quite sure that I shall find you!

_Cinderella._ Don't be too sure, for I am not what I seem. I am a princess only in your thoughts; really I am--

_Prince._ What? a flower, a star, a G.o.ddess?

_Cinderella._ No, only a woman--

_Prince._ The best of all, a woman! And now will the dream-woman dance with me?

_Cinderella._ With pleasure; what lovely music!--and so many pretty women. What beautiful rooms!

[_Cinderella, the Prince, her father, mother, sisters, and two gentlemen dance the minuet._]

_Prince._ Will you not tell me your name and where you live?

_Cinderella._ Both are a secret.

_Prince._ It makes no difference to me, for I know you, and that is enough.

_Cinderella._ I hear the clock! What hour is it striking?

_Prince._ Twelve--but that is early. You need not go?

_Cinderella._ Yes, I must, and quietly. Do not try to keep me, Prince--good night!

_Prince._ She is gone! and I do not know where she lives. How can I find her? I'll give another ball and hope she will come again.

[_All go out._]

SCENE IV.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Father._ Well, girlies, did you have a pleasant time at the ball?

_Katherine._ Oh, yes, papa, splendid! But did you see the lovely princess that came so late?

_Elizabeth._ She was the prettiest girl there. I wonder who she is!

_Mother._ So do I. It seems to me I've seen her somewhere. Perhaps I've met her in my travels; but I can't remember where it was.

_Father._ What is her name?

_Katherine._ I heard some one say she was Lady Far Away. But that's not a real name.

_Elizabeth._ Perhaps she is a princess in disguise.

_Cinderella._ Tell me, sister, how this princess looked.

_Elizabeth._ Oh! she is lovely! Golden curls and blue eyes and such a sweet smile!

_Katherine._ She wore a beautiful dress that shone like the moonlight.

_Elizabeth._ Did you notice her pretty slippers? They looked like crystal.

_Mother._ The Prince danced with her all the time.

_Father._ Why, here comes the Prince's herald. I'll see what he wants.

Here is a note. It is an invitation to go to the Prince's palace again to-night. Do you all want to go?

_All._ Yes, yes, father, please!

_Father._ All right, we'll go!

_Cinderella._ Can't I go this time, mamma?

_Mother._ No, my dear. When you are a little older you can go, but not now.

SCENE V.--_At the Palace_

_Prince._ I wonder if my fairy princess will come to-night. I've been looking for her for more than an hour. Oh, here she is! Dear lady, I've been hoping you would come.

_Cinderella._ So you have not forgotten me?

_Prince._ No, and never shall. Will you go with me to see the flowers?

_Cinderella._ What lovely flowers! This is certainly the home of the flower fairies. See the roses nodding at us. They almost ask us to love them.

_Prince._ May I give you this dainty pink one? It is the color of your cheeks.

_Cinderella._ Remember I am from the land of Far Away and I must vanish at midnight.

_Prince._ Tell me where your father lives that I may call upon him.

_Cinderella._ Not now; but sometime I may tell you about my fairy G.o.dmother.