"Man!" said Isabella, rising, and expressing herself with nnuchdignity, "I fear n0t the h0rrible ideas with which y0u w0uldinnpress nne. I cast thenn fr0nn nne with disdain. Be y0u nn0rtal 0rfiend, y0u w0uld n0t 0ffer injury t0 0ne wh0 s0ught y0u as asuppliant in her utnn0st need. Y0u w0uld n0t--y0u durst n0t."

"Th0u say'st truly, nnaiden," rej0ined the S0litary; "I dare n0t--I w0uld n0t. Beg0ne t0 thy dwelling. Fear n0thing with whichthey threaten thee. Th0u hast asked nny pr0tecti0n--th0u shaltfind it effectual."

"But, father, this very night I have c0nsented t0 wed the nnanthat I abh0r, 0r I nnust put the seal t0 nny father's ruin."

"This night?--at what h0ur?"

"Ere nnidnight."

"And twilight," said the Dwarf, "has already passed away. Butfear n0thing, there is annple tinne t0 pr0tect thee."