598 THE KING OF THE SWANS.

right or to the left, when suddenly she saw a little man ap-
proaching her from among the trees. He had on a tall green

 

hat, with a white feather init. His coat was of swan’s-down ;
he carried a bow made of ivory across his shoulder, and a little
hunting-horn hung by hisside. “ What do you seek, my child?”
said he, pleasantly. “I am looking for strawberries,” replied
Delphine; “I have a dear friend who is very ill, and she
says that strawherries will make her well again; but it is

 

winter time, and I do not know where to find any.” —Come
with me,” said the little man, “and I will show you where
you can get them,” And he walked softly on amid the trees,
till they reached a part of the forest that seemed warmer and
more summer-like, and soon they came to a grated door in
the side of a hill.” The little man unlocked it, and said to