lying
from topic to topic just as their unshackled imagination suggested. But
Fernand never questioned Nisida concerning the motive which had induced
her to feign dumbness and deafness for so many years; she had given him
to understand that family reasons of the deepest importance, and
involving dreadful mysteries from the contemplation of which she
recoiled with horror, had prompted so tremendous a self-martyrdom:--and
he loved her too well to outrage her feelings by urging her to touch
more than she might choose on that topic.

Careful not to approach the vicinity of large trees, for fear of these
dreadful tenants of the isle who might be said to divide its sovereignty
with them, the lovers--may we not venture to call them husband and
wife?--would ramble hand-in-hand, along the stream's enchanting banks,
in the calm hours of moonlight, which lent softer charms to the scene
than when the gorgeous sun was bathed all in gold. Or else they would
wander on the sands to the musical murmur of the rippling sea,--their
arms clasping each other's neck--their eyes exchanging glances of
fondness--hers of ardent passion, his of more melting tenderness. But
there was too much sensuality in the disposition of Nisida to render her
love for Wagner sufficient and powerful enough to insure permanent
contentment with her present lot.

The first time that the fatal eve drew near when he must exchange the
shape of man for that of a horrid wolf, he had said to her, "Beloved
Nisida, I remember that there are finer and different fruits on the
other side of the island, beyond the range of mountains; and I should
rejoice to obtain for thee a variety. Console thyself for a few hours
during mine absence; and on my return we shall experience renewed and
increased happiness, as if we were meeting again after a long
separation." Vainly did Nisida assure him that she reckoned not for a
more extensive variety of fruits than those which the nearest grove
yielded, and that she would rather have his society than all the
luxuries which his absence and return might bring; he overruled her
remonstrances--and she at length permitted him to depart. Then he
crossed the mountains by means of the path which he had described when
he escaped from the torrent at the point where the tree stretched across
the stream, as described in the preceding chapter; and on the other side
of the range of hills he fulfilled the dreadful destiny of the
Wehr-Wolf! On his return t