"
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
softened? If thou wilt confess that thou didst unlock the forbidden
door, then will I restore to thee both thy sons." But the Queen again
answered, "No, I did not open it;" and at these words she sank upon the
earth, and her third child was taken from her.
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