THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 55

* Tt is you alone, O dearest: lady.! who have nerved me with
the chivalrous courage which I have just shown, and who
gave mestrength to fight that insolent wretch who dared to
threaten you. The vile king of the mice is bathed in his
blood. Will you, O lady! deign to. accept the trophies of
the victory—trophies that are offered by the hand-of a knight
who is devoted to you until death ?”

With these words the Nut-cracker drew from his left arm .
the seven: golden crowns
of the king of the mice,
- which he had placed there
as if they were bracelets,
* and which he now offered
= to Mary, who received
= them with joy.
= The Nut-cracker, encou-
raged by this amiability
=. on her part, then rose and
spoke thus :—“ Oh! dear Miss-Silberhaus, now that I have
conquered my enemy, what beautiful things can I show you,
if you would have the condescension to go with me only a
few paces hence! Oh! do not:refuse me—do not refuse me,
dear lady—I implore you!”

Mary did not hesitate a moment to follow
the Nut-cracker, knowing how great were
her claims upon his gratitude, and.
being quite certain that he had
no evil intention towards her-.

“T will follow you,” she said,. _
“‘my dear Mr. Drosselmayer; but’ <
you must not take me very far, S
nor keep me long away, because I
have not yet slept a wink.”

‘‘T will choose the shortest,. although the most difficult;
path,” said the Nut-cracker; and, thus speaking, he led the
way, Mary following him.