And she says that she must send for her, and that he must have a good
look at her too; that he shall have some broth brought up by her.
She sends for Ass'-skin to the kitchen, has the broth made for her
son, and Ass'-skin puts in the middle of the bread the ring which
the king had given her. The lady had her well dressed, and she goes
to the king. The king, after having seen her, was still doubtful. He
drank his broth; but when he puts the bread into his mouth he finds
something (hard), and is very much astonished at seeing his ring. He
was ill no longer. He goes and runs to his mother to tell her his
joy that he has found his lady. He wishes to marry directly, and
all the kings of the neighbourhood are invited to the feast; and,
while they were dining, everyone had some fine news to relate. They
ask the bride, too, if she had not something to tell them. She says
"Yes," but that she cannot tell what she knows--that it would not
please all at the table. Her husband tells her to speak out boldly;
he draws his sword, and says,
"Whosoever shall speak a word shall be run through with this sword."
She then tells how a poor girl was servant at a king's house; how she
remained there seven years; that they liked her very much, and treated
her with confidence, even to giving her the keys of the treasure. One
day, when the king and his wife were out, robbers entered, and stole
almost all the treasure. The king would not believe that robbers had
come. He puts the young girl in prison for a whole year, and at the
end of that time he sends her to execution, telling the executioners
to bring her heart to the house. The executioners were better than
the king; they believed in her innocence, and, after having killed
an ass, they carried its heart to the king; "and for the proof,
it is I who was servant to this king."