and appearance, sat motionless, and checked the
appeal that was rising to her lips. The redoubtable
rider dismounted awkwardly from behind her, half
dragged her from the tall beast, and hurried her
into the house. The woman followed, and having
closed the door, placed the candle on a table, and sat
down by the fire; when Amanda, still standing in
the midst of the miserable room, began:

"Woman, what place is this? Where am I, and
why have I been brought hither?" then bursting
into passionate grief: "Oh, woman, woman, who-
soever you are, save me, I implore you, from this
man," and with the words she sprang towards
the door; but the churlish giant, guessing her
intention, intercepted, and bore her back, saying:
"Keep quiet, gentle lady; have patience, bashful
beauty; sit down, sit down; come pet, come." And
he made as if to approach her; when, forgetting
the hazard of her position, and inspired with return-
ing native courage, with her heart swelling with
womanly indignation, and looking the vast figure in
the face, she cried with an utterance tremulous from
grief and scorn: "Whither have you brought me,
villain, and for what end? Sirrah, come no nearer
me: I am polluted by your touch. Out, shameless
wretch!" and again she rushed towards the door, but
found it resist her utmost efforts: and, baffled, turning
within, she once more addressed herself to the female,
who was now carelessly warming herself before some
embers on the hearth.

"Woman," she said, "for that you are one your
form and garb assure me, though your behaviour gives
your exterior the lie; woman, if you be one, save

[[85]]

p084 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p085w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p086

v?