Read "The Story of the Duchess of Cicogne and Monsieur de Boulingrin" by Anatole France online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
SEVENTEEN years, day by day, had elapsed since the fairies' decree. The Princess was as beautiful as a star. The King, Queen, and Court were in residence at the rural palace of Eaux-Perdues. Need I relate what happened then? It is well known how the Princess Aurore, wandering one day through the castle, came to the top of a keep, where, in a garret, she found a dear old woman, all alone, plying her distaff. She had never heard of the King's regulations, forbidding the use of spindles.
"What are you doing, my good woman?" asked the Princess.