Peter ate and drank with great relish, and soon disposed of the cake and wine. [Illustration] "I should like to have some of that beautiful fruit, too, if I may," said he. And as he spoke Mary filled his plate with grapes, apples, and pears. "Eat away, Peter!" said she, laughing till her white teeth shone through her lips. "Don't be afraid of emptying the dish. There is plenty more fruit if we want it." "I should like to take some home to Mamma," said Peter, biting into an apple. "May I, Mary?" Mary nodded kindly, and handed him a golden dish full of sweetmeats, saying, "Put as many of these into your pocket as you like." And he filled his pockets accordingly. Peter felt as happy as a king. His head was quite turned. He shouted aloud for joy, and swung his legs backwards and forwards as he sat on his golden chair. "But I say, Mary," said he, laughing, "we shall go on playing together the same as ever, sha'n't we? I shall bring my leaden soldiers, and you'll bring your dolls again, won't you?" But at this moment Mary seized his arm, and whispered in a frightened voice--"Hush, Peter, hush! Don't you hear?" The music had suddenly ceased, and with it all the talking and laughing at the long table, and in the silence the sound of the church clock could be distinctly heard. _It struck one._ At one stroke--the lights went out, a blast of wind blew through the banqueting-room, and then all was as still as death. * * * * * LEFT ALONE IN THE DARK--MOTHER--THE PARSNIP-MAN BY DAYLIGHT--THREE POUNDS. Peter sat in his chair, as if petrified with terror, Mary still holding fast by his arm. "Quick, quick!" she cried, breathlessly. "We must get away from here." Then she let his arm go, and hurried away from him. "Wait, wait!" he cried, anxiously; "I don't know where I am. Take me with you, Mary! I can't see my way. Mary! Mary! Mary!" Nobody replied. Peter slid down from his chair and groped his way forward till he knocked against the corner of the table. Terror fairly overcame him, and he cried--"Mother! Mother! Mother!" "What's the matter, dear?" said his mother's gentle voice. "I am here, Mother," cried Peter; "but I am so frightened! Mary has run away and left me all alone in the dark hall." "Come, Peter, come; collect yourself," said his mother, who was standing by the bed where poor Peter was sitting straight up with an anxious face, down which big tears were running. "You're here, Peter, you know; in your own little bed," said his mother, putting her arms round him. Peter began to take heart a little, and looked round him with big wide-open eyes. "But how did I get here?" he asked, still stupefied with sleep. "You've never been anywhere else, you know," said his mother. "But I know the Parsnip-man took me away, and I rode on the mouse, too," said little Peter. "Nonsense, nonsense; you're still dreaming. There, get up and put on your clothes."