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Thereupon； in spite of the King's orders； the guards gave him an
excellent supper； and when he had eaten it he again opened his
book； but could see none of the wonderful pictures； which convinced
him that he must have been dreaming before。
However； when he went into he gallery next day and looked at
the painted windows again； he found that they moved； and the figures
came and went as if they had been alive； and after watching the one
who was like himself find the key in the crack of the turret wall
and open the old cabinet； he determined to go and examine the
place himself； and try to find out what the mystery was。 So he
went up into the turret and began to search about and tap upon
the walls； and all at once he came upon a place that sounded hollow。
Taking a hammer he broke away a bit of the stone； and found behind
it a little golden key。 The next thing to do was to find the cabinet；
and the Prince soon came to it； hidden away in a dark corner；
though indeed it was so old and battered…looking that he would
never have noticed it of his own accord。 At first he could not see
any keyhole； but after a careful search he found one hidden in the
carving； and the golden key just fitted it； so the Prince gave it a
vigorous turn and the doors flew open。
Ugly and old as the cabinet was outside； nothing could have been
more rich and beautiful than what met the Prince's astonished eyes。
Every drawer was made of crystal； of amber； or of some precious
stone； and was quite full of every kind of treasure。 Prince Curlicue
was delighted； he opened one after another； until at last he came to
one tiny drawer which contained only an emerald key。
‘I believe that this must open that little golden door in the
middle；' said the Prince to himself。 And he fitted in the little key
and turned it。 The tiny door swung back； and a soft crimson light
gleamed over the whole cabinet。 The Prince found that it proceeded
from an immense glowing carbuncle； made into a box； which lay
before him。 He lost no time in opening it； but what was his horror
when he found that it contained a man's hand； which was holding
a portrait。 His first thought was to put back the terrible box and
fly from the turret； but a voice in his ear said； ‘This hand belonged
to one whom you can help and restore。 Look at this beautiful
portrait； the original of which was the cause of all my misfortunes；
and if you wish to help me； go without a moment's delay to the
great gallery； notice where the sun's rays fall most brightly； and if
you seek there you will find my treasure。'
The voice ceased； and though the Prince in his bewilderment
asked various questions； he received no answer。 So he put back the
box and locked the cabinet up again； and； having replaced the key
in the crack in the wall； hastened down to the gallery。
When he entered it all the windows shook and clattered in the
strangest way； but the Prince did not heed them； he was looking
so carefully for the place where the sun shone most brightly； and it
seemed to him that it was upon the portrait of a most splendidly
handsome young man。
He went up and examined it； and found that it rested against the
ebony and gold panelling； just like any of the other pictures in the
gallery。 He was puzzled； not knowing what to do next； until it
occurred to him to see if the windows would help him； and； looking
at the nearest； he saw a picture of himself lifting the picture from
the wall。
The Prince took the hint； and lifting aside the picture without
difficulty； found himself in a marble hall adorned with statues； from
this he passed on through numbers of splendid rooms； until at last
he reached one all hung with blue gauze。 The walls were of
turquoises； and upon a low couch lay a lovely lady； who seemed to be
asleep。 Her hair； black as ebony； was spread across the pillows；
making her face look ivory white； and the Prince noticed that she
was unquiet； and when he softly advanced； fearing to wake her； he
could hear her sigh； and murmur to herself：
‘Ah！ how dared you think to win my love by separating me
from my beloved Florimond； and in my presence cutting off that
dear hand that even you should have feared and honoured？'
And then the tears rolled slowly down the lovely lady's cheeks；
and Prince Curlicue began to comprehend that she was under an
enchantment； and that it was the hand of her lover that he had
found。
At this moment a huge Eagle flew into the room； holding in its
talons a Golden Branch； upon which were growing what looked like
clusters of cherries； only every cherry was a single glowing ruby。
This he presented to the Prince； who guessed by this time that
he was in some way to break the enchantment that surrounded the
sleeping lady。 Taking the branch he touched her lightly with it；
saying：
‘Fair one； I know not by what enchantment thou art bound； but
in the name of thy beloved Florimond I conjure thee to come back
to the life which thou hast lost； but not forgotten。'
Instantly the lady opened her lustrous eyes； and saw the Eagle
hovering near。
‘Ah！ stay； dear love； stay；' she cried。 But the Eagle； uttering a
dolorous cry； fluttered his broad wings and disappeared。 Then the
lady turned to Prince Curlicue； and said：
‘I know that it is to you I owe my deliverance from an enchantment
which has held me for two hundred years。 If there is anything
that I can do for you in return； you have only to tell me； and
all my fairy power shall be used to make you happy。'
‘Madam；' said Prince Curlicue； ‘I wish to be allowed to restore
your beloved Florimond to his natural form； since I cannot forget
the tears you shed for him。'
‘That is very amiable of you； dear Prince；' said the Fairy； ‘but
it is reserved for another person to do that。 I cannot explain more
at present。 But is there nothing you wish for yourself？'
‘Madam；' cried the Prince； flinging himself down at her feet；
‘only look at my ugliness。 I am called Curlicue； and am an
object of derision； I entreat you to make me less ridiculous。'
‘Rise； Prince；' said the Fairy； touching him with the Golden
Branch。 ‘Be as accomplished as you are handsome； and take the
name of Prince Peerless； since that is the only title which will
suit you now。'
Silent from joy； the Prince kissed her hand to express his thanks；
and when he rose and saw his new reflection in the mirrors which
surrounded him； he understood that Curlicue was indeed gone for
ever。
‘How I wish；' said the Fairy； ‘that I dared to tell you what is
in store for you； and warn you of the traps which lie in your path；
but I must not。 Fly from the tower； Prince； and remember that
the Fairy Douceline will be your friend always。'
When she had finished speaking； the Prince； to his great
astonishment； found himself no longer in the tower； but set down in a
thick forest at least a hundred leagues away from it。 And there
we must leave him for t