for three days the count had to wander in the wilderness before he could find his way out. he then reached a large town, and as no one knew him, he was led into the royal palace, where the king and queen were sitting on their throne. the count fell on one knee, drew the emerald book out of his pocket, and laid it at the queen’s feet. she bade him rise and hand her the little book. hardly, however, had she opened it, and looked therein, than she fell as if dead to the ground.