CINDERELLA _then comes sailing down into the ball-room, not a sound to be heard except the ecstatic shrieks of the four children. She is modest but calmly confident; she knows exactly what to do. She moves once round the room to show her gown, then curtseys to the Royal personages; then, turning to the_ LORD MAYOR, _opens her mouth and signs to him to pop in the thermometer. He does it as in a dream. Presently he is excitedly showing the thermometer to the_ KING.) KING. Marvellous! 99! (_The cry is repeated from all sides. The_ QUEEN _hands the_ KING _a long pin from her coiffure, and the_ PRINCE _is again wakened_.) PRINCE (_with his hand to his brow_). What, another! Oh, all right; but you know this is a dog’s life. (_He goes to_ CINDERELLA, _takes one glance at her and resumes his chair_.) LORD MAYOR (_while the children blub_). That settles it, I think. (_He is a heartless fellow._) That will do. Stand back, my girl. CINDERELLA (_calmly_). I don’t think. KING. It’s no good, you know. CINDERELLA (_curtseying_). Noble King, there is two bits of me thy son hath not yet seen. I crave my rights. (_She points to the two bits referred to, which are encased in the loveliest glass slippers._) KING. True. Boy, do your duty. PRINCE. Oh, bother! (_Those words are the last spoken by him in his present state. When we see him again, which is the moment afterwards, he is translated. He looks the same, but so does a clock into which new works have been put. The change is effected quite simply by_ CINDERELLA _delicately raising her skirt and showing him her foot. As the exquisite nature of the sight thus vouchsafed to him penetrates his being a tremor passes through his frame; his vices take flight from him and the virtues enter. It is a heady wakening, and he falls at her feet. The courtiers are awkward, not knowing whether they should fall also._ CINDERELLA _beams to the children, who utter ribald cries of triumph_.) KING (_rotating on his strap_). Give him air! Fill your lungs, my son! QUEEN (_on hers_). My boy! My boy! LORD MAYOR (_quickly taking the royal cue_). Oh, lady fair! (_The_ PRINCE’S _palpitations increase in violence_.) QUEEN. Oh, happy sight! KING. Oh, glorious hour! LORD MAYOR (_not sure that he was heard the first time_). Oh, lady fair! (_The_ PRINCE _springs to his feet. He is looking very queer_.) LORD TIMES (_probably remembering how he looked once_). The Prince is about to propose! LORD MAYOR. O yes, O yes, O yes! KING. Proceed, my son.