“They are so big， so red， and so misshapen， under yourcoarse elf-locks， that they are revolting. I am not pretty myself，but I should die of shame if mine were like them.” After thislast blow， the old witch， having repeated what the queen hadtaught her， hobbled off， with a harsh croak of laughter， leavingpoor Jacinta dissolved in tears， prone on the ground beneaththe appletrees.
Nothing could divert her mind from her grief. “I am ugly—Iam ugly，” she repeated constantly. It was in vain that Valentinassured and reassured her with the most solemn oaths. “Let mealone； you are lying out of pity. I understand it all now； younever loved me； you are only sorry for me. The beggar womanhad no interest in deceiving me. It is only too true—I am ugly. Ido not see how you can endure the sight of me.”
To undeceive her， he brought people from far and near；every man declared that Jacinta was created to delight theeyes； even the women said as much， though they were lessenthusiastic. But the poor child persisted in her conviction thatshe was a repulsive object， and when Valentin pressed her toname their wedding day—“I， your wife！” cried she. “Never！ Ilove you too dearly to burden you with a being so hideous as Iam.” You can fancy the despair of the poor fellow so sincerely inlove. He threw himself on his knees； he prayed； he supplicated；she answered still that she was too ugly to marry him.
What was he to do？ The only way to give the lie to the oldwoman and prove the truth to Jacinta was to put a mirrorbefore her. But there was no such thing in the kingdom， andso great was the terror inspired by the queen that no workmandared make one.
“Well， I shall go to Court，” said the lover， in despair. “Harshas our mistress is， she cannot fail to be moved by the tears andthe beauty of Jacinta. She will retract， for a few hours at least，this cruel edict which has caused our trouble.”
It was not without difficulty that he persuaded the younggirl to let him take her to the palace. She did not like to showherself， and asked of what use would be a mirror， only toimpress her more deeply with her misfortune； but when hewept， her heart was moved， and she consented， to please him.
“What is all this？” said the wicked queen. “Who are thesepeople？ and what do they want？”
“Your Majesty， you have before you the most unfortunatelover on the face of the earth.”
“Do you consider that a good reason for coming here toannoy me？”
“Have pity on me.”
“What have I to do with your love affairs？”
“If you would permit a mirror—”
The queen rose to her feet， trembling with rage. “Who daresto speak to me of a mirror？” she said， grinding her teeth.
“Do not be angry， your Majesty， I beg of you， and deign tohear me. This young girl whom you see before you， so freshand pretty， is the victim of a strange delusion. She imaginesthat she is ugly.”
“Well，” said the queen， with a malicious grin， “she is right. Inever saw a more hideous object.”
Jacinta， at these cruel words， thought she would die ofmortification. Doubt was no longer possible， she must be ugly.
Her eyes closed， she fell on the steps of the throne in a deadlyswoon.
But Valentin was affected very differently. He cried outloudly that her Majesty must be mad to tell such a lie. He hadno time to say more. The guards seized him， and at a sign fromthe queen the headsman came forward. He was always besidethe throne， for she might need his services at any moment.
“Do your duty，” said the queen， pointing out the man whohad insulted her. The executioner raised his gleaming axejust as Jacinta came to herself and opened her eyes. Thentwo shrieks pierced the air. One was a cry of joy， for in theglittering steel Jacinta saw herself， so charmingly pretty—andthe other a scream of anguish， as the wicked soul of thequeen took flight， unable to bear the sight of her face in theimpromptu mirror.