Now
the forbidden door alone remained. A great desire possessed the maiden
to know what was hidden there; and she said to the child, "I will not
quite open it, nor will I go in, but I will only unlock the door so
that we may peep through the chink." "No, no," said the child; "that
will be a sin. The Guardian Angel has forbidden it, and misfortune
would soon fall upon us."
At this the maiden was silent, but the desire still remained in her
heart, and tormented her continually, so that she had no peace. One
day, however, all the children were away, and she thought, "Now I am
alone and can peep in, no one will know what I do;" so she found the
keys, and, taking them in her hand, placed the right one in the lock
and turned it round. Then the door sprang open, and she saw three
angels sitting on a throne, surrounded by a great light. The maiden
remained a little while standing in astonishment; and then, putting her
finger in the light, she drew it back and it was turned into gold.
Then great alarm seized her, and, shutting the door hastily, she ran
away.
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