the maid stayed beneath the lime-tree until sunset, but he did not return. she sat three days from morning till evening, waiting for him, but in vain. as he still was not there by the fourth day, she said, "some accident has assuredly befallen him. i will go out and seek him, and will not come back until i have found him." she packed up three of her most beautiful dresses, one embroidered with bright stars, the second with silver moons, the third with golden suns, tied up a handful of jewels in her handkerchief, and set out. she inquired everywhere for her betrothed, but no one had seen him; no one knew anything about him.