THE SNOW QUEEN'S PALACE.
The whole party now ran on together till they came to the boundary of the
country; but just where the green leaves began to sprout, the Lapland woman and the two
Reindeers took their leave. “ Farewell '—farewell!” said they all. And the first little
birds they had seen for many a long day began to chirp, and warble their pretty songs ;
and the trees of the forest burst upon them full of rich and variously tinted foliage.
Suddenly, the green boughs parted assunder, and a spirited horse galloped up. Gerda
knew it well, for it was the one which had been harnessed to her gold coach; and on it sat
1 young girl wearing a bright scarlet cap, and with pistols in the holsters before her. It
vas indeed no other than the Robber-maiden who, weary of her home in the forest, was
going on her travels, first to the north, and afterwards to other parts of the world. She
at once recognised Gerda, and Gerda had not forgotten her, Most joyful was their greeting!
“A fine gentleman you are, to be sure, you graceless young truant!” said she to
Kay; “I should like to know if you deserved that any one should be running to the end
of the world on your account!”
But Gerda stroked her cheeks, and asked after the Prince and Princess.
‘They are gone travelling into foreign countries.” replied the Robber-maiden.
“And the Raven?” asked Gerda,
“Ah! the Raven is dead,” returned she, “The tame beloved has become 2
#idow ;— so she hops about with a picce of black worsted wound round her leg; she
moans most piteously, and chatters more than ever! But tell me now all that has happened
10 you, and how you managed to pick up vour old play-fellow.”
And Gerda and Kay told their story,
“Snip-snad-snurree-basselurre!” said the Robher-maiden : she pressed the hands of
both :—promised that if ever she passed through their town she would pay them a visit,
and then bade them farewell, and rode away out into the wide world.
Kay and Gerda walked on hand in hand, and wherever they went it was spring,
~ith its bright lowers and green leaves,
