As they walked along, the Queen so arranged it that presently they came to the place where the great stone was lying. Grognon pointed it out to Graciosa. “I am told,” said she, “that a great treasure lies hidden under that stone. We will roll it away and see whether those who told me of it have spoken the truth.”
She then bade her attendants push the stone aside, and Graciosa, who was very good-natured, put her hands against the stone, and pushed, also.
This was exactly what Grognon wished. She crept up back of Graciosa, and as soon as the pit was uncovered, she pushed the Princess so that she fell down into it, and the stone was then allowed to fall back into its place.
At last the Queen was satisfied. She felt very sure that Graciosa could not escape from the pit, herself, and Grognon would see to it that no one went there to help her. She returned to the palace well pleased with her morning’s work.
As for Graciosa, she was in despair. “Alas, Percinet! Why did I not listen to you?” she wept. “Would that I might see you but once more before I perish, that I might tell you that at last I know the worth of all your love and devotion.”
Suddenly, as she thus bemoaned herself, Graciosa saw, in the side of the pit a little door which she had not noticed before. She opened it, and to her joy and amazement saw before her the same avenue of many-colored stones which she had followed when she was lost in the forest, and there, at the end of the avenue, was the shining castle that she knew as the one belonging to Finetta.
With a beating heart, Graciosa hurried along the avenue, and as she drew near the castle, the doors opened to her of their own accord, and standing within she saw the Fairy Finetta and Percinet.
They looked upon her smiling, and Finetta said, “So you have at last returned to us, Graciosa, and I hope with wisdom enough to value the love that Percinet still feels for you.”
“Indeed, Madam,” said the Princess, blushing, “my love is as great as that of Percinet himself, and my trust in him is as unbounded.”
With a cry of joy Percinet clasped her in his arms, while the fairy stood and smiled upon them.