but the old servant knew that the young princess was quite innocent of all the things her step-mother had invented to him as reasons for her outrageous orders, and he determined to save her life. unless he killed her, however, he could not return to his cruel task-mistress, so he decided to stay out in the wilderness. with the help of some peasants he soon built a little cottage, and having sent secretly for his wife to come, these two good old people did all in their power to take care of the now unfortunate princess. she all the time trusted in her father, knowing that as soon as he returned home and found her absent, he would search for her.