The Prince was enchanted! So much so, that as he stooped to kiss her hand, he could barely murmur his greeting. But it took him only an instant to recover himself, and in a few minutes his ready wit and fascinating conversation held the Princess positively spellbound. Never before had he ever mentioned the Palace to her; but now, with very great art and even greater tact, he skilfully described its beauties, its particularly fine setting in ideal garden grounds; its splendid rooms, and their unique furnishings; and the charming views to be had from its pillared balcony. So enraptured was the Princess with the picture that he drew, that more than once she innocently ejaculated, “Oh, how I should love to live in such a glorious home!” On the last occasion upon which she so spoke, the Prince, having finished his description, tenderly took her hand in his and smilingly replied, “And so you may—on one condition!” And the Princess, instantly perceiving the position in which she had unwittingly placed herself, archly answered back: “You mean that I must pay for the privilege, I suppose!” “Yes,” retorted the prince, with rising ardour, “you must give me what is worth to me more than all the World holds—you must give me yourself! Will you marry me? Will you take me for your husband, and be my own dear, dear wife?” And the Princess, who had loved him from the very first, answered, “Yes, My Prince, for I love you truly, and will never cease to love you until the end of time!” Thus the Princess Wattle Blossom became the Prince’s promised bride; and from that day forth, many were the preparations made for the wedding. Now the Prince had stipulated, that contrary to usual custom, the wedding was to take place, not at the home of the bride’s parents, but at the Palace. This, he explained, was in order that King Acacia, Queen Cootamundra, and as many of their relatives and friends as cared to accept the invitation, might not only see the future home of the bride, but the Fairy City itself—that wonderland of Fairyland about which they had all heard something more or less fascinating and attractive. In consequence of this arrangement, what may be termed the “Cards of Invitation,” were issued by the Prince. They were enclosed in a woven envelope made of the very finest green rushes, and they consisted of two broad eucalyptus leaves fastened together with twisted cords of spiders’ silk. On the outside of the first leaf was painted the Prince’s Crest; a red Waratah rising above two green leaves of the plant on which it blooms. On the face of these leaves, in letters of gold, his motto was written, “I live to serve!” On the inside of the second leaf the actual invitation to the wedding appeared. It, also, was written in golden letters. The wording of the invitation was very brief, however, for the Fairies, like the ancients, generally use but few words to express themselves.