Why , nothing but a serpent 's skin , which her husband , who was , unknown to her , a magician , put on when he was at work ; and at the sight of it the girl was turning away in disgust , when the earth shook violently under her feet , the palace vanished as if it had never been , and the bride found herself in the middle of a field , not knowing where she was or whither to go . She burst into a flood of bitter tears , partly at her own folly , but more for the loss of her husband , whom she dearly loved . Then , breaking a sprig of rosemary off a bush hard by , she resolved , cost what it might , to seek him through the world till she found him . So she walked and she walked and she walked , till she arrived at a house built of straw . And she knocked at the door , and asked if they wanted a servant . The mistress said she did , and if the girl was willing she might stay . But day by day the poor maiden grew more and more sad , till at last her mistress begged her to say what was the matter . Then she told her story -- how she was going through the world seeking after her husband . And her mistress answered her , ` Where he is , none can tell better than the Sun , the Moon , and the Wind , for they go everywhere ! ' On hearing these words the damsel set forth once more , and walked till she reached the Golden Castle , where lived the Sun . And she knocked boldly at the door , saying , ` All hail , O Sun ! I have come to ask if , of your charity , you will help me in my need . By my own fault have I fallen into these straits , and I am weary , for I seek my husband through the wide world . ' ` Indeed ! ' spoke the Sun . ` Do you , rich as you are , need help ? But though you live in a palace without windows , the Sun enters everywhere , and he knows you . ' Then the bride told him the whole story . and did not hide her own ill-doing . And the Sun listened , and was sorry for her ; and though he could not tell her where to go , he gave her a nut , and bid her open it in a time of great distress .
The damsel thanked him with all her heart , and departed , and walked and walked and walked , XXXXX she came to another castle , and knocked at the door which was opened by an old woman .
By On after at if of through till to under