"You are not going home?" she asked, shocked at the idea.
"Yes, I shall go home," he responded.
There was something monotonous, almost mechanical, in his way of speaking, which prevented her pressing him to come in.
"Ah, how sweet it was," she murmured, seizing his hand and pressing it to her heart.
He made no reply, but turned from her and walked away into the darkness with uncertain steps.
She heard his voice once more, coming from the stables; then the tinkle of a sleigh-bell, and all was silent.
As old Minna opened the door to her mistress, she beheld a pair of eyes radiant with delight, and parted lips smiling blissfully.
"Now God be praised!" said she; "all is right again."
Felicitas glided past her in silence, and locked herself in her bedroom. It was too late to think any more of Paul's Christmas parcel that night.