Then said the maiden: "I know not, but I was so sad, and now I feel
light-hearted; it is as if my true husband had returned."
Then she told him all that had happened, although the other brothers
had threatened to kill her if she betrayed them.
The King then summoned all the people in the castle before him: and
there came with them the young Prince dressed as a beggar in his rags,
but the maiden recognized him instantly and fell upon his neck.
So the wicked brothers were seized and executed, but the young Prince
married the lovely Princess and was made his father's heir.
But what became of the poor fox?
Long afterwards the young Prince went again into the forest, and there
he met once more with the fox, who said:
"Thou hast now everything in the world thou canst desire, but to
my misfortunes there can be no end, although it is in thy power to
release me from them."
So he entreated the Prince to shoot him dead and cut off his head and
feet.
At last the Prince consented to do so, and scarcely was the deed done
than the fox was changed into a man, who was no other than the brother
of the beautiful Princess, at last released from the spell that had
bound him.
So now nothing was wanting to the happiness of the Prince and his
bride as long as they lived.
* * * * *