VI.

(Extract)
By: Mrs. E.B. Mawr
From: The Slippers Of The Twelve Princesses.
Found In: Book: Roumanian Fairy Tales and Legends [1881]
Found On: Internet Sacred Tales Archive
Website: https://www.sacred-texts.com

The Princesses danced until their white satin slippers were in holes, until the cock
had crowed three times. Then the music ceased, A princely table was arranged,
which was instantaneously filled with the most succulent meats, and the rarest and
most exquisite wines. When the repast was over, the Princesses re-entered their boat,
and Jonica who followed them step by step, arrived with them in the wood with the Page | 1

silver leaves.

There, to prove to himself, and to prove also to others, that what he had seen was no
dream, Jonica broke off a branch of the tree with the beautiful leaves. The noise
which he made, caused Lina to turn round. "What can that be?" said she to her sisters.
"Probably," said the eldest, it is the rustling amongst the branches of some bird, that
has its nest in one of the towers of the Palace." Jonica then got in advance of the
Princesses, opened the window, and glided silently along the trellis which covered
the wall, and began his daily work.

While preparing the flowers for the Princesses, he hid the branch of Silver Leaves
in the bouquet destined for Lina.

Great was the astonishment of the young girl, who asked herself, in vain, how it was
possible that the branch could have come there.

Without saying anything to her sisters, she went down into the garden, and there,
under the shade of a large chestnut tree, she found the gardener. She had for the
moment, a great mind to speak to him, but on reflection, thought it better to wait a
little, and so passed on her way.

When evening arrived, the Princesses again returned to the Ball, Jonica followed
them, and a second time entered Lina's boat. Again the Emperor's son complained
of the labour required in rowing. "No doubt it is the heat which you feel," replied
Lina. All passed as on the previous evening, but this time, on returning, Jonica broke
off a branch of the Golden Leaves.

When the daily bouquets were distributed, the Princess Lina found, concealed in
hers, the golden branch. Remaining a little behind her sisters, and showing the
golden branch to Jonica, she asked, "From whence, hadst thou these leaves?"

"Your Highness knows quite well."

"So thou hast followed us?"

All of these texts are believed to be in the public domain. Their files may be used for any non-commercial purpose freely, as long as they
are attributed correctly
 VI. (Extract)
By: Mrs. E.B. Mawr
From: The Slippers Of The Twelve Princesses.
Found In: Book: Roumanian Fairy Tales and Legends [1881]
Found On: Internet Sacred Tales Archive
Website: https://www.sacred-texts.com

"Yes, Highness."

"And how didst thou manage that?"

"It is a secret." Page | 2

"We did not see thee."

"I was invisible."

"At any rate, I see that thou hast penetrated the mystery. Speak of it to no one.

The three succeeding days, Lina neither saw nor heard anything particular, during
their nocturnal excursions; but the fourth night, there was a distinct rustling in the
wood of Diamond Leaves, and the next morning she found a Diamond Branch,
hidden in her bouquet. Then she was fully convinced that the young gardener knew
all their secrets, and calling him to her, she asked:

"Dost thou know the price, which the Emperor, our father, offers for the discovery
of our secret?"

"I know it, Highness."

"Then why dost thou not go to him, and betray it?"

"I do not wish."

"Art thou afraid?"

"No, Highness."

"Then, why wilt thou not speak?"

Jonica looked up at her, his eyes full of expression, but did not reply.

All of these texts are believed to be in the public domain. Their files may be used for any non-commercial purpose freely, as long as they
are attributed correctly