In "The Lady, or the Tiger", by Frank Stockton, a semi-barbaric king has devised a trial by chance that offers the accused a choice of two doors. Behind one is a beautiful lady who will become his wife once he opens the door. Behind the other is a man-eating tiger waiting to spring upon whoever opens the door. In the story, the king has discovered that his daughter is madly in love with a handsome courtier, so naturally, like any doting father, he puts the courier in jail to await his trial. Meanwhile, the king's daughter finds out something very interesting about the lady who has been chosen and will be placed behind the second door.

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