, I love you," said he.
"You are my Best Beloved," said she.

So the matter ended happily, to their own joy and to the joy of the
whole toy-shop.

And these two lovers found Truth at last: not in the bottom of a Well,
but in the depths of their own Hearts.

And they married and were happy ever after.

* * * * *

"That was a nice ending," remarked the little girl. "I like it."

"Yes; very satisfactory, wasn't it?" said the little lady.

"How will the next story end, happily or sadly?"

"I haven't thought of it yet. You shall know to-morrow."

"I think I must go now," said the little girl. "I promised my little
cousin to have a game of nine-pins with her before bed-time."

"Wait," said the Marionette. "I have something to tell you. I think
to-morrow evening will be the last time I shall be able to speak with
you. My power of talking to a Mortal is going; it will not last after
our next meeting."

"Oh, I _am_ sorry!" exclaimed the little girl. "I do not leave till two
days after to-morrow, and I thought that you would be able to go on
telling me stories up to the very last evening."

The little Marionette shook her head.

"It will be impossible," said she.

"And after to-morrow we shall not be able to talk to each other any
more," exclaimed the little girl. "Oh, how sad!"

"Never mind, even if we cannot talk we can remain good friends. The
deepest friendship is often the quietest."

"Then we can be very great friends indeed," said the little girl with
much affection. "I am so glad, dear!"

"I am going out to-morrow afternoon to see the pantomime, but I shall
come here as early as I can," she added as she went away. "Don't you be
late."

"No, I won't," answered the Marionette.

"Remember!"

"Yes, I'll remember."

"_How_ will you remember?"

"I'll tie a knot in my hair, so that when I brush it I shall feel that
there is something to recollect."

"That's a good idea," said the little girl, and ran away in content.

CHAPTER IX

The next evening, as soon as the little girl came in, she went to their
meeting-place by the Noah's Ark.

But the little Marionette was not to be found.

"This is too bad of her!" said the little girl. "Our last time! And
after she has promised not to be late!"

Tears rose to her eyes.

"I am very much disappointed," said she as she walked up and down the
shop looking for her friend.

"I shall never find her...