Violet Jacob > Stories told by the miller

go STORIES TOLD BY THE MILLER
rule, do I tolerate those who offer them ; but
if you will tell me the truth, I will do my best
to bring the King and my mistress together.”
So the old man told her all.
When the lady returned to the palace, she
took the fragments of the wreath and put them
carefully together. The petals she collected and
sewed into their right places with fine silk ; it
was so deftly done that no one could suspect
them of having been broken.
The next day there was to be a banquet at
the palace, and before the time came for the
Princess to get ready, the lady took one of her
maids aside. “ While you are fastening the
pins of Her Royal Highness’s veil,” said she,
“ and before you put on her crown, you must
scream as though you had pricked your finger.
Do as I tell you and ask no questions, for I
myself will be present and keep her wrath from
you.”
So when the Princess sat before her mirror,
the maid brought her veil and began to fasten it,
while the lady stood by with the wreath con¬
cealed in her wide sleeve. All at once the girl
shrieked aloud : “ Oh! oh! I have torn my
finger with a pin !”