But the duke did not move, while the duchess said in a firm voice, 'We
shall not leave this room, nor shall you, proud maiden, until we know
the truth.'

Then the fisherman's wife drew near to the noble lady, and curtsying
low she said, 'Should this bad maiden be indeed my daughter, as I do
think she is, she will have between her shoulders a mark like a
violet, and this mark also you will find on the instep of her left
foot. Let the maiden come with me that--'

But Bertalda rudely interrupted the old woman's words.

'I will not go with the peasant!' she said.

'But you will come with me into another room,' said the duchess, and
Bertalda knew that she would have to go. 'And the old woman shall come
with us,' added the noble lady in a kind voice.

As the three went out of the banqueting-room, silence fell upon the
guests. Now they would soon know the truth.

Slowly the moments passed. At length the door opened and the duchess
returned with Bertalda and the old woman. Bertalda looked pale and
frightened.

'It is but just,' said the noble lady, looking round the room, 'it is
but just that you should know the truth. It is as our hostess has
said. Bertalda is indeed the daughter of the fisherman and his wife.'