b QUEEN INA, OR THE 



The sound re-echoed by all the neighbouring tors, 

 was heard even above the roar of the elements. 

 Forth from the foundations of the earth issued a 

 shadowy form, increasing in stature as it ascended, 

 until its head mingled with the clouds of heaven. 

 Ina, standing on the fallen rock, surveyed with awe- 

 struck wonder the gigantic spirit, dimly seen through 

 the dusky fog, extending an arm, as if to reach the 

 utmost boundaries of the waste. " I am," he said, 

 " the genius of the moor ; darest thou intrude on 

 the solitude in which I dwell." " I dare," replied 

 Ina, " the queen of the fairies has no fear." " The 

 queen of the fairies," — repeated the shadow with a 

 sarcastic laugh, " knowest thou I could raise a 

 thousand forms such as mine, which should quickly 

 deprive thee of thy paltry honors ?" "I know," 

 replied Ina, "♦but 1 tremble not, there is a power 

 to which even thine must bow, a power which pre- 

 sides over this beautiful earth, a power which 

 protects me now ; it is" — " What?" said the spirit, 

 impatiently. " The power of Goodness." The 

 shadow frowned. " Beware" — he cried, but Ina, 

 heeding him not, secure in her good resolutions, 

 glided on her way, like the dove of peace, regardless 

 of the warring elements. A dull flickering glare, 

 which ever and anon burst into brightness, and then 

 faded into thin air, guided our fairy queen to the 

 dark cavern of the pixies. She paused, at its 

 entrance, to watch the ugly sprite who kept guard 

 at the mouth of the cave. His form was misshapen 

 and crooked, one leg shorter than the other accounted 

 for the waving of the torch which he bore in his 

 claw-shaped hand. This was Will of the Wisp, 

 king of the pixies, and enemy of the human race. 

 Awhile he danced and shouted a song of triumph 

 over the victims of his deceit, or dipped his flambeau 

 into the stagnant pool, whose pestilential vapours 

 re-animated its dying flame. 



As the unholy light glanced on the delicate fairy, 

 a shout of delight broke from his leprous lips. 



