He lay down, but did not drink the wine.
The Twelve Princesses, in their chamber, laughed, and the eldest said, “He, too, might as well have saved his life.”
With that they got up, opened wardrobes, presses, cupboards, and brought out pretty dresses; dressed themselves before the mirrors, sprang about, and rejoiced at the prospect of the dance.
Only the youngest said, “I know not how it is. You are very happy, but I feel strange. Some misfortune is certainly about to befall us.”
“You are a goose, who are always frightened,” said the eldest. “Have you forgotten how many King’s Sons have already come here in vain? I had hardly any need to give the soldier a sleeping-draught. In any case, the clown would not have awakened.”
When they were all ready, the eldest then went to her bed and tapped it.
It immediately sank into the earth; and one after the other they descended through the opening, the eldest going first.
The soldier, who had watched everything, tarried no longer, put on his little cloak, and went down last with the youngest. Half-way down the steps, he just trod a little on her dress.
She was terrified at that, and cried out, “What is that? who is pulling at my dress?”
“Don’t be so silly!” said the eldest, “you have caught it on a nail.”