After that a deep sleep fell on me and I know nothing more of what happened.’
‘That must have been a singular dove,’ said the king; ‘bring her to me and you shall be forgiven.’
The cook went down to look for the dove, and found her midway, flying to meet him.
‘There is the dove, Sire,’ said the cook, handing the dove to the king.
‘So you spoilt my dinner, did you palombelletta,’ said the king. ‘But never mind; you are a dear little dove, and I forgive you,’ and he put her in his breast and stroked her. Thus, as he went on stroking and fondling her, calling her ‘palombelletta bella!’ he felt the gold head of the stepmother’s big pin through the feathers. ‘What have you got in your head, palombelletta dear?’ he said, and pulled the pin out.
Instantly the fair maiden stood before him in all her surpassing beauty as he had seen her at the first. ‘Are you not my fair maiden who promised to marry me?’ exclaimed the king.
‘The very same, and no other,’ replied the maiden.
‘Then who is this one?’ said the king, and he turned to the stepmother’s daughter beside him, and tore off her veil. Then he understood the deceit that had been played on him, and he sent for the stepmother, and ordered that she and her daughter should be punished with death.