Knigge had spoken truly in his chapter about actors;she saw that the key had not spoken truly,but she did notspeak about that to the chamberlain;she thought too muchof him.
The door-key was his comfort and consolation all theyear of mourning.He asked it questions and it gave an-swers.And when the year was ended,and he and Lotte-Lena sat together one evening,he asked the key,
"Shall I marry,and whom shall I marry?"
There was no one to push him,he pushed the key, and it said"Lotte-Lona".So it was said,and Lotte-Lenabecame the chamberlain's wife.
"Victory and Fortune!"These words had been saidbeforehand—by the door-key.
这篇作品最初发表在1872年哥本哈根出版的《新的童话和故事集》第3卷第2部。关于这篇故事安徒生写道：“没有多少年以前，由桌子产生的灵动术，在哥本哈根的社交生活中扮演着一定的角色。有许多人相信它。甚至某些有头脑和在精神界有一定地位的人也相信，桌子和一些其他的家具都具有灵性，可以与一切精灵交流。我在德国拜访住在一个大庄园里的几位知识界的人士时，结识了一个‘钥匙精’——一只能预卜吉凶祸福的钥匙。许多人都相信它。”安徒生又写道：“那个杂货商人对家臣的拜访以及洛特·伦的艺术生涯都在现实生活中确有其人。”