The Driver begins to sing 127 "Then she swept away" 131 "The Driver got up with dignity" 133 "He loved but drove away" 135 Proud Claribelle is penitent 138 "The two met as usual" 139 The Grocer meets the Farthing Doll 140 "They walked away hand in hand" 143 "She handed him a joint of beef" 147 "Supposing I said 'Yes' and you said 'No '" 149 "They were happy ever after" 152 "Molly ran away content" 155 "The little Marionette lay on the ground" 156 "They had just finished their dance" 160 "I begin to understand--nerves" 165 The General rides off to the nearest chemist 167 The Clown dances a double-shuffle 169 "You are not crying, dear, are you?" 171 "She rocked to and fro silently" 175 The Marionette fell asleep quite happily 177 CHAPTER I All sorts of toys were to be found in that toy-shop. It was truly a place to please any child! A little girl, who had come to stay there with her aunt--the owner of the shop--and her little cousin, was always to be found amongst the toys; she was forever picking up and admiring this one, stroking that one, nursing another. All her spare moments were spent in the shop. It so happened one evening that she wandered in after the shutters were put up, and the place was deserted. She paused before the spot where she was accustomed to find her favorite doll, a little lady Marionette, who, when wound up, danced gayly in company with her partner, a very fine gentleman. They were both very prettily dressed. The little lady Marionette wore a beautiful white silk dress brocaded with pink roses, whilst her partner had on a blue velvet coat, knee breeches, white silk stockings, and diamond shoe buckles. Their clothes were really very grand! And they danced so gayly, too. "Just as if they like dancing with each other!" the little girl once said to her aunt. "You are a fanciful child, Molly," answered the woman, laughing. "All the same, I believe I am right," replied the little girl. This evening, however, they were not to be found in their accustomed place. The little platform on which they danced was there, but the dolls themselves were gone! The little girl looked round the shop much bewildered. "Where _can_ they be?" she said. At last she saw the little lady Marionette sitting on the right hand counter, with her back against the Noah's Ark. "Well, how funny!" exclaimed the little girl aloud. "How have _you_ got there?" "Walked, of course," answered the little Marionette in a sweet little voice.