On tiptoe little Gerda followed the raven, as he hopped across the snow-covered field and up the long avenue that led to the palace garden. And in the garden they waited silently until the last light had gone out. Then they turned along the bare walk that led to the back door. It stood wide open.
Oh, how little Gerda’s heart beat, as on the tips of her little bare toes she followed the raven up the dimly lighted back staircase!
On the landing at the top burned a small lamp. Beside it stood the tame sweetheart.
Gerda curtsied as her grandmother had taught her.
“He,” said the tame sweetheart, nodding to the raven of the field, “he has told me your story. It has made me sad. But if you carry the lamp, I will lead the way, and then we shall see——”
“We shall see little Kay,” murmured Gerda.
“Hush! we shall see what we shall see,” said the tame sweetheart.
Through room after room Gerda followed her strange guide, her heart thumping and thumping so loudly that she was afraid some one in the palace would hear it and wake.
At last they came to a room in which stood two little beds, one white and one red. The tame sweetheart nodded to the little girl.
Poor Gerda! she was trembling all over, as she peeped at the little head that rested on the pillow of the white bed.