When they arrived the castle was brilliantly lighted. The children were lifted down and led into a large hall, where a number of ladies were assembled, waiting to receive the party, who had been away since early morning.
As you may imagine, great was the astonishment when the little ones were brought in, and many questions were put to them; but it was not till the arrival of the gentlemen that they understood what it all meant.
When they were at length joined by the lord of the castle, he went up to the children, and, looking kindly at them, endeavoured to gain their confidence. He began by gently inquiring the cause of their leaving their uncle’s house. “Was he unkind to you?” he asked.
“Not exactly, sir,” quickly replied the little girl; “but I danced till I could dance no longer. I felt as if I was going to die.”
“It is all true, sir,” said Hans. “Toni and I were afraid we should lose our little sister.”
“I am sure it was God’s will we should try and save her,” interrupted Toni.
“It was God’s will? How did you know that, little one?”
“Why, sir, it must have been God who put a thought into my mind that I ought to get her away. When uncle would make her dance, dance till she fell down and did not know anything, and looked so pale, I thought she was dead. Then I know He must have helped us to make the little cart, and to keep it hidden so that uncle did not see it; and He has led us the right way, and given us food to eat when we were hungry.”
“Who taught you all that, my boy?”