He told her he had watched her at the gate and in the
field, and asked her the meaning of her strange actions.
"O King! I may not tell; for I have sworn, if my life were spared, to
speak to no one of my woes," she replied.
The King pleaded with her, but she was firm; and at last he told her
to tell her troubles to the iron stove, since she would not confide
in him. When he had left her, she fell upon her knees before the stove
and poured forth her sorrows:
"Here am I, the daughter of a Queen, doomed to the lowly service of
a goose-girl, while the false waiting-maid steals my treasures and my
bridegroom."
She sobbed and wept, until the King, who had stood outside and heard
all, came in and bade her dry her eyes. He ordered her arrayed in
royal robes; and then she appeared as lovely as the sun. The Prince
was summoned; and the old King told him the story, and showed him the
true bride. She was so beautiful that the Prince knelt at her feet in
admiration, and knew her to be the real Princess.
A great banquet was given, to which many guests were invited. On one
side of the Prince sat the false bride, and on the other the real
Princess, who was so radiantly lovely that the maid did not know her.
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