The arrival of so splendid an equipage as Cinderella's could not fail to attract general notice at the palace gates, and as it drove up to the marble portico the servants, in great numbers, came out to see it.
The king's son, to whom it was announced that an unknown princess had arrived, hastened to receive her. He handed her out of the carriage, and led her to the ball-room. Immediately she entered the dancing ceased, and the violins stopped playing; so much was every one struck with the extreme beauty of the unknown princess; and the only sound heard was that of admiration. The king's son conducted her to the most distinguished place, and invited her to dance. She danced with such grace that everybody was in raptures with her.
When Cinderella saw that it wanted but a quarter of an hour of midnight she left as quickly as possible.
