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 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.

When this was rumored abroad the next day, all the people exclaimed, “The Queen is a murderess; she must be condemned;” and the King could not this time repulse his councillors.  Thereupon a trial was held, and since the Queen could make no good answer or defence, she was condemned to die upon a funeral pile.  The wood was collected; she was bound to the stake, and the fire was lighted all around her.  Then the iron pride of her heart began to soften, and she was moved to repentance; and she thought, “Could I but now, before my death, confess that I opened the door!” And her tongue was loosened, and she cried aloud, “Thou good Angel, I confess.”  At these words the rain descended from heaven and extinguished the fire; then a great light shone above, and the Angel appeared and descended upon the earth, and by her side were the Queen’s two sons, one on her right hand and the other on her left, and in her arms she bore the new-born babe.  Then the Angel restored to the Queen her three children, and loosening her tongue promised her great happiness and said, “Whoeverwill repent and confess their sins, they shall be forgiven.”

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