“Well, be quick,” said Paulina.
“Won’t you come in and have some, too?” asked the man. “You must be hungry.”
“Yes, I’m hungry; but I don’t want to come into the house. It’ll only take up time. You can bring me out something to eat.”
By the time the two wanderers had partaken of some refreshment, the equipage and retinue were prepared to start. The man helped the little girl into the luxurious coach, took his place beside her, and the next instant they were off at a smart pace. As the sledge glided smoothly over the frozen snow, and the dark objects that skirted the way seemed to be flying past, and the road to be melting before them,—as she felt herself borne swiftly and easily along, Paulina could have believed herself in some pleasant dream, so wondrous did it all appear. She sat breathless, fixed, and perfectly upright, unable as yet to yield herself to the full luxury of her position, in the bewilderment of its novelty.
“Presently,” she said. “I can hardly yet make myself believe that it is all real; that I am actually flying on thus, speedily and delightfully, instead of toiling along on foot. It is like magic. It must be a fairy car.”
“In truth,” said the man, “it does seem a marvellously well-contrived sort of affair, this sledge coach. See here, what commodious pouches in the side! Well stored, I dare swear, with comforts of all kinds. Ay, here is a shawl for the throat. Truly, the owner must be a fellow of some taste to provide thus for his accommodation in travelling.”
“The credit for the arrangements may belong to his servants,” said Paulina. “But, at any rate, I think he would not be pleased to see his private comforts appropriated by a stranger,” she added, as she observed the man, to her great vexation, twisting the shawl around his neck.
“Let the things alone. Take off the shawl. Give it to me. I’ll put it away, on this side, out of your reach.”
The man laughed, but did as she bade him.
“You think I’m not proof against temptation, little one,” he said. “Do you doubt my honesty? What sort of man do you take me for?”