y that he was to be rightful King of Toyland had come true?'

"Whilst the clever Marie was weighing all these things in her mind, she
kept expecting that Nutcracker and his vassals would give some
indications of being alive, and make some movements as she looked at
them. This, however, was by no means the case. Everything in the
cupboard kept quite motionless and still. Marie thought this was
the effect of Dame Mouseyrinks's enchantments, and those of her
seven-headed son, which still were keeping up their power.

"'But,' she said, 'though you're not able to move, or to say the least
little word to me, dear Mr. Drosselmeier, I know you understand me, and
see how very well I wish you. Always reckon on my assistance when you
require it. At all events, I will ask your uncle to aid you with all
has great skill and talents, whenever there may be an opportunity.'

"Nutcracker still kept quiet and motionless. But Marie fancied that a
gentle sigh came breathing through the glass cupboard, which made its
panes ring in a wonderful, though all but imperceptible, manner--whilst
something like a little bell-toned voice seemed to sing:

"Marie fine, angel mine! I will be thine, if thou wilt be mine!'

"Although a sort of cold shiver ran through her at this, still it
caused her the keenest pleasure.

"Twilight came on. Marie's father came in with Godpapa Drosselmeier,
and presently Louise set out the tea-table, and the family took their
places round it, talking in the pleasantest and merriest manner about
all sorts of things. Marie had taken her little stool, and sat down at
her godpapa's feet in silence. When everybody happened to cease talking
at the same time, Marie looked her godpapa full in the face with her
great blue eyes, and said:

"'I know now, godpapa, that my Nutcracker is your nephew, young Mr.
Drosselmeier from Nuernberg. The prophecy has come true: he is a king
and a prince, just as your friend the astronomer said he would be. But
you know as well as I do that he is at war with Dame Mouseyrinks's
son--that horrid king of the mice. Why don't you help him?'

"Marie told the whole story of the battle, as she had witnessed it, and
was frequently interrupted by the loud laughter of her mother and
sister; but Fritz and Drosselmeier listened quite gravely.

"'Where in the name of goodness has the child got her head filled with
all that nonsense?' cried her father.

"'She has such a lively imagination, you see,' said