166 PAITH UNTO DEATH. 



rolled, and the wide mouth of the image distended into the 

 semblance of a malevolent grin, while, at the same instant, it 

 appeared to give utterance to an eldritch shriek of merriment. 

 Terrified at this unexpected event, and beUeving himself in the 

 presence of an enchanter, the dwarf raised a small club which 

 he carried, and, at one blow, shiverinii; the supposed sorcerer, took 

 to his heels : the crowd which his singular exterior had gradually 

 assembled, now deemed themselves privileged to pursue the 

 extraordinary delinquent j and it was happy indeed for Zairagia 

 that the casual interference of his protector rescued him from their 

 summary justice. The youth who gave tidings of the dwarf's 

 misadventure, was the jeweller's apprentice, and escorted Van 

 Schooreel to his master's abode, and it was with infinite surprise 

 that the artist recognized in the principal, the mysterious Bohemian 

 of the inn. The latter reddened when he beheld him, but, bowing 

 courteously, accosted him as a stranger, and treating the destruc- 

 tion of the Ethiop as a trivial affair, positively refused recompense. 

 While he spoke as one communing with an individual seen for the 

 first time, his glance rivetted, like that of a basilisk, not on the 

 countenance of the artist, but on the fair chaplet of pearls which 

 the daughter of Cornelitz had presented to him in their parting 

 interview, and which was visible through the opening of his 

 collar. Finding it impossible to induce him to accept compensa- 

 tion. Van Schooreel, burning to obtain particulars of his betrothed, 

 was turning from the spot, when the jeweller advanced and, 

 laying his hand on the pearls, said, while he curiously eyed them, 

 *' These are of goodly size, and without flaw — they have neither 

 speck nor stain, at what mayst thou value them ? I will be liberal, 

 and would fain purchase them." For once the mild eyes of Schoo- 

 reel flashed with the fires of resentment, he drew back imperiously, 

 saying, with haughtiness, " Good Sir ! thou hast mistaken me ! I 

 traffic not in gauds, and with these pearls I part but with life !" 

 With this he flung down a purse of gold for the injury done by the 

 dwarf, and moved indignantly from the shop. 



It was now nearly sun-set, and Van Schooreel, regaining his inn, 

 changed his attire for a costume similar to that which he had worn 

 on the evening of his farewell with Unna, and in brief time was 

 spurring his horse towards the summer residence where she was 

 wont to spend a chief part of the year. Who shall describe the 

 sensation with which he greeted once more the bright scene of his 

 happiest hours ? What pen can do justice to the thrillings of joy 

 and hope, and fear, with which he sprung over the hedge and found 

 himself again within that verdant and flowery enclosure — that 

 secluded and beautiful spot to which memory had flown so 

 frequently from the proud walls of Jerusalem ! " This, at least, 

 is the same I" exclaimed he, " here is no change ! no cruel 

 metamorphosis ! methinks not a stem — not a leaf — not a blossom 

 have withered since mine adieu !" and he glanced round with 

 almost tearful delight. The season — the hour — the evening, were 

 the same as when he parted, and the scene itself bloomed before 



