rd her with outstretched arms.

But the sharp sword was presented to his chest; and the lady stood with
an air of such resolute determination, that he stopped short gazing upon
her with mingled wonderment and admiration. Heavens! he had never beheld
so glorious a specimen of female loveliness as that whereon his eyes
were fastened,--fastened beyond the possibility of withdrawal. How
glossy black was that hair with its diadem of white roses! How miserably
poor appeared the hues of the carnations and the pinks that formed her
necklace, when in contrast with her flushing cheeks! How dingy were the
lilies at her waist, compared with her heaving breast!

The reason of the brigand reeled, his brain swam round, and for a moment
it seemed to him that she was not a being of this world; not the Nisida
he had known and carried off from Italy, but a goddess, another and yet
the same in all the glory of those matchless charms which had heretofore
ravished--no, maddened him!

And now the spirit of this bold and reckless man was subdued--subdued,
he knew not how nor wherefore; but still subdued by the presence of her
whom he had deemed lost in the waves, but who seemed to stand before
him, with flowers upon her brow and a sharp weapon in her hand--radiant,
too, with loveliness of person, and terrible with the fires of hatred
and indignation!

Yes! he was subdued--overawed--rendered timid as a young child in her
presence; and sinking upon his knees, he exclaimed--forgetful that he
was addressing Nisida the deaf and dumb--"Oh! fear not--I will not harm
thee! But, my God! take compassion on me--spurn me not--look not with
such terrible anger upon one who adores, who worships you! How is it
that I tremble and quail before you--I, once so reckless, so rude. But,
oh! to kiss that fair hand--to be your slave--to watch over you--to
protect you--and all this but for thy smiles in return--I should be
happy--supremely happy! Remember--we are alone on this island--and I am
the stronger; I might compel you by force to yield to me--to become
mine; but I will not harm you--no, not a hair of your head, if you will
only smile upon me! And you will require one to defend and protect
you--yes, even here in this island, apparently so secure and safe;--for
there are terrible things in this clime--dreadful beings, far more
formidable than whole hordes of savage men--monsters so appalling that
not all thy courage, nor all thy energy would avail thee a sin