Then the King asked, "Will you
go with me to my castle?" At that she nodded her head, and the King,
taking her in his arms, put her on his horse and rode away home. Then
he gave her beautiful clothing, and everything in abundance. Still she
could not speak; but her beauty was so great, and so won upon the
King's heart, that after a little while he married her.

When about a year had passed away, the Queen brought a son into the
world, and in that night, while lying alone in her bed the Guardian
Angel appeared to her and said:

"Wilt thou tell the truth and confess that thou didst unlock the
forbidden door? For then will I open thy mouth and give thee again the
power of speech; but if thou remainest obstinate in thy sin then will I
take from thee thy new-born babe."

And the power to answer was given to her, but she remained hardened,
and said, "No, I did not open the door;" and at those words the
Guardian Angel took the child out of her arms and disappeared with him.

The next morning, when the child was not to be seen, a murmur arose
among the people, that their Queen was a murderess, who had destroyed
her only son; but, although she heard everything, she could say
nothing. But the King did not believe the ill report because of his
great love for her.

About a year afterward another son was born, and on the night of his
birth the Guardian Angel again appeared, and asked, "Wilt thou confess
that thou didst open the forbidden door? Then will I restore to thee
thy son, and give thee the power of speech; but if thou hardenest
thyself in thy sin, then will I take this new-born babe also with me."

Then the Queen answered again, "No, I did not open the door;" so the
Angel took the second child out of her arms and bore him away. On the
morrow, when the infant could not be found, the people said openly that
the Queen had slain him, and the King's councillors advised that she
should be brought to trial. But the King's affection was still so
great that he would not believe it, and he commanded his councillors
never again to mention the report on pain of death.

The next year a beautiful little girl was born, and for the third time
the Guardian Angel appeared and said to the Queen, "Follow me;" and,
taking her by the hand, she led her to the kingdom of Happiness, and
showed to her the two other children, who were playing merrily. The
Queen rejoiced at the sight, and the Angel said, "Is thy heart not yet
softene