166
PORTUGUESE FAIRY TALES.
countess—she will be sorry to know that I am not dumb."
The queen mother, who was present and heard the princess speak, ran full of joy to tell her son that the dear girl had spoken. The prince, agreeably surprised, came running in, and embraced her, and asked her to tell him her story, and how it was that she was abandoned in the forest; which she did, and thus cleared up the mystery that hung over her. The prince wrote to the princess's father, informing him of all that had occurred, and notified his intention to marry her, on account of her rare beauty and goodness.
They were accordingly married amidst the rejoicings of the people, by whom she was much beloved.
And the cross countess was turned out of the palace.
Coimbra.
