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When her golden coach drew up at the palace, the news quickly spread that an unknown princess had come to the ball. The King's son greeted her and was so delighted with her beauty that he promptly asked her for the next dance. She was so graceful that everyone in the room turned to admire her and the Prince scarcely left her side all evening.
He had just gone to bring her a dish of sweetmeats when Cinderella noticed that it was nearly midnight. She quickly slipped away and returned home in her golden carriage. Her fairy godmother was waiting for her. Cinderella told her what a wonderful time she had and how the Prince has begged her to come back the next evening. The little old woman was quite pleased and promised Cinderella that she should go to the palace again.
The following evening, as soon as the two stepsisters had gone, the fairy godmother appeared. She gave Cinderella a gown as sweet and dainty as a pink rosebud, and off Cinderella went. The Prince was so delighted to see her that he would dance with no one else. But shortly before midnight, she darted away from him and vanished so quickly that he could not follow her. The godmother was pleased because Cinderella had remembered to come home on time and promised her she could go the third night also.
The next evening, Cinderella's dress was as golden as sunshine. She made such a charming picture with her golden curls and golden dress that a murmur of admiration went through the crowd as she entered the ballroom. The Prince, who had refused to dance until she arrived, came to her at once, and it was easy to see that he was very much in love with her.