THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 87

and the queen, who did not desire at the bottom of his heart
that Nathaniel might prove triumphant in the adventure
which he had undertaken.

On his side, young Drosselmayer approached with a con-
fidence which encouraged the hopes that were placed in him.
Having reached the steps leading to the throne, he bowed to
the king and queen, then to Princess Pirlipata, and then
to the spectators; after which he received the Carel took nut
from the grand master of the ceremonies, took it delicately
between his fore-finger and thumb, placed it in his mouth,
and gave a violent pull at the wooden balance hanging be-
hind him.

Crack! crack!—and the shell was broken in several
pieces.

He then skilfully detached the kernel from the fibres
hanging to it, and presented it to the princess, bowing grace-

 

fully but respectfully at the same time; after which he closed

his eyes, and began to walk backwards. At the same moment

the princess swallowed the kernel; and, O! wonder!. her

horrible ugliness disappeared, and she became a young:lady

of angelic beauty. Her face seemed to have borrowed the
c 2