The tears came into the Prince’s eyes as he begged her to ask
him anything but that— to set him any task she pleased as a proof
of his devotion, but to spare him the grief of killing his dear
Pussy. But nothing he could say altered her determination,
and at last he drew his sword, and desperately, with a trembling
hand, cut off the little white head. But imagine his
astonishment and delight when suddenly a lovely princess stood
before him, and, while he was still speechless with amazement, the
door opened and a goodly company of knights and ladies entered,
each carrying a cat’s skin! They hastened with every sign of
joy to the Princess, kissing her hand and congratulating her on
being once more restored to her natural shape. She received
them graciously, but after a few min
