and her long hair fell down on all sides and covered her like a mantle.
Thus she remained a long time experiencing the misery and poverty of
the world.

But, once, when the trees had become green again, the King of the
country was hunting in the forest, and as a bird flew into the bushes
which surrounded the wood, he dismounted, and, tearing the brushwood
aside, cut a path for himself with his sword. When he had at last made
his way through, he saw a beautiful maiden, who was clothed from head
to foot with her own golden locks, sitting under the tree. He stood in
silence, and looked at her for some time in astonishment; at last he
said, "Child, how came you into this wilderness?" But the maiden
answered not, for she had become dumb. 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