An old woman, with a kind face, came out of the house and invited her to enter and rest.
"'You look sorely tired, my child,' she said.

'Have you travelled far ?' "'Ah yes!' replied the poor Princess, 'very far.

I am nearly dead with fatigue;' and indeed she looked very miserable.

Her beautiful fair hair was all tumbled and soiled, her poor little feet were scratched and blistered, her black dress torn and draggled--she looked far more like a beggar-maiden than like a princess.

But yet, her pretty way of speaking and gentle manners showed she was not what she seemed, and when she had washed her face and combed her hair, the old woman looked at her with admiration.
"'Tis a pity you have not a better dress,' she said, 'for then you could have gone with me to see the rejoicings in the town for the marriage of our Prince.' "'Is your Prince to be married to-day ?' asked the Princess.
"'No, not to-day--to-morrow,' said the old woman.