the people up above
us, his face grew dark, he gave no answer, and continued quite silent
for a long time afterwards. But when he perceived that, not content with
the old domain, you seemed to think of encroaching upon his, then indeed
his anger burst forth. He swore that, were you to succeed in reaching
the new mine, you should assuredly perish. Notwithstanding his great
age, his strength is astonishing, and his threats used to make me
tremble."

"Go on, Nell, my child," said Simon to the girl, who paused as though to
collect her thoughts.

"On the occasion of your first attempt," resumed Nell, "as soon as my
grandfather saw that you were fairly inside the gallery leading to New
Aberfoyle, he stopped up the opening, and turned it into a prison for
you. I only knew you as shadows dimly seen in the gloom of the pit, but
I could not endure the idea that you would die of hunger in these horrid
places; and so, at the risk of being detected, I succeeded in obtaining
bread and water for you during some days. I should have liked to help
you to escape, but it was so difficult to avoid the vigilance of my
grandfather. You were about to die. Then arrived Jack Ryan and the
others. By the providence of God I met with them, and instantly guided
them to where you were. When my grandfather discovered what I had done,
his rage against me was terrible. I expected death at his hands. After
that my life became insupportable to me. My grandfather completely lost
his senses. He proclaimed himself King of Darkness and Flame; and when
he heard your tools at work on coal-beds which he considered entirely
his own, he became furious and beat me cruelly. I would have fled from
him, but it was impossible, so narrowly did he watch me. At last, in
a fit of ungovernable fury, he threw me down into the abyss where you
found me, and disappeared, vainly calling on Harfang, which faithfully
stayed by me, to follow him. I know not how long I remained there, but I
felt I was at the point of death when you, my Harry, came and saved me.
But now you all see that the grandchild of old Silfax can never be the
wife of Harry Ford, because it would be certain death to you all!"

"Nell!" cried Harry.

"No," continued the maiden, "my resolution is taken. By one means only
can your ruin be averted; I must return to my grandfather. He threatens
to destroy the whole of New Aberfoyle. His is a soul incapable of mercy
or forgiveness, and no mortal can say to what hor