fairies. They were the very prettiest little slippers in the world.

Never had Cinderella been so happy!

"Now you may go to the ball, but do not fail to leave before midnight,"
said the Fairy Godmother.

"If you stay until the clock strikes twelve," added the Fairy Godmother,
"your coach will again become a pumpkin; your horses will be mice; your
coachman will be a rat; your footmen will be lizards, and your beautiful
dress will become rags."

Cinderella stepped into the coach. A few minutes later, the white horses
dashed into the royal courtyard.

The door of the coach was flung open, and Cinderella stepped out.

As Cinderella entered the ball room, the prince hastened to meet her.

"Never," said he to himself, "have I seen anyone so lovely!"

Cinderella was so beautiful, so elegantly dressed, and she danced so
well, that the prince fell in love with her. He would dance with no one
else.

The evening passed away like a dream. Suddenly Cinderella heard a clock
chime three quarters past eleven.

She bade the prince good-night and was soon on her way home in the
pumpkin coach.