She then commanded that another pipe should be brought in, but when she struck this, out poured a heap of rubies.
The King was filled with wonder and admiration at the sight of all this treasure, but the Duchess pretended to be still more angry.
“The servant who made this mistake shall be well beaten, I promise you,” she cried. “Bring in another pipe, and this time be sure it is filled with good wine instead of all these stones.”
But she had no more success with the third pipe than with the second, for when she struck it, out poured emeralds. The Duchess pretended to fly into a fury and scornfully pushed the jewels aside with her foot. Pipe after pipe was brought, but one was full of sapphires, one of pearls, and still another of diamonds. The whole floor was covered with her treasures.
The King was bewildered. He scarcely knew how to express his wonder.
“Sire,” said the Duchess, smiling, “since you feel such an admiration for these poor trifles, perhaps you would like to see the treasure chambers from which these have been brought.”
Nothing could please the King better, and after Grognon had shown him all her treasures, which indeed seemed endless, he determined, if possible, to make her his wife that all this wealth might become his.
This plan suited the Duchess perfectly. Indeed it was for this purpose that she had shown her wealth to the King, and it was agreed between them that they should be married as soon as possible.
When the news of this intended marriage was brought to Graciosa, she was filled with grief and dismay. She had already heard of the Duchess Grognon and knew her to be not only a monster of ugliness, but of such an evil nature that nothing delighted her more than to tease and torment those around her and make their lives a misery to them. Nor could she understand how her father could make up his mind to take such a creature as his wife.
However, she hid her feelings as well as she could and determined to be obedient and patient with Grognon, hoping that in this way she might live with her at peace, and even perhaps win from her a little affection.