from the road, and it seemed clear that she had taken the path.

The path led into a deeper forest. It became very silent and black.
He could barely see the path beneath his feet. And it seemed to him
that he was now all surrounded by living, hidden creatures, who knew
that he was passing. But he could not feel that Cinderella was
anywhere near him.

The path turned into a lane, and the lane entered a region where there
were vague fields on either side, fields in which things had been
planted. And then he stopped suddenly, not knowing whether he should
continue on his way, or return to his companions by the side of the
road. He had discerned a house before him, standing on the top of a
hill. And although it was very late, a single light burned in one of
its windows.

For just a moment he reflected; and then he continued on his way, in
the direction of that lighted window.




CHAPTER IX

CINDERELLA AT HOME

For just a few moments let us enter that house of the lighted window,
that we may witness certain strange happenings.

We come into an immense, old-fashioned kitchen or scullery.