e thou wast still seated upon the strand,
and the mingled emotions of surprise and joy with which thou didst mark
my presence. Is it, then, difficult to imagine that thou requirest
counsel to teach thee how to proceed so as to obtain thine emancipation
from this isle? or would it be extraordinary if, moved by thy sorrow, I
offered to befriend thee? And is it not ever the way with mortals--poor,
weak, miserable beings that they are--to grow speedily dissatisfied with
their lot? In the spirit of religion ye say that Heaven controls your
destinies according to its own wise purposes; and when all goes well
with ye, and you have your desires, ye pray and are thankful, because,
forsooth," added the demon, with a smile of bitter scorn, "it is so easy
to pray when ye are contented and happy, and so easy to be thankful when
ye are pampered with all ye require. Here art thou, lady, on an island
teeming with all the choicest fruits of the earth, and enjoying an
eternal summer, where all is pleasant to the view, and to whose silent
shores the cares of the great world cannot come; and yet thou wouldst
quit this calm retreat, and rush back into the vortex of evil passions,
warring interests, conflicting pursuits! But I will not weary thee with
my reflections; although it is my nature first to upbraid and taunt
those whom I intend to serve!"

"And who art thou, strange being, that reasoneth morally with the smile
of scorn upon thy lips?" demanded Nisida, the vague alarms which had
previously influenced her reviving with additional power; "who art thou,
I say, that comest to reproach, and yet profferest thine aid?"

"No matter who I am," replied the fiend. "Some day thou may'st know me
better, if thou----"

"But how camest thou hither? Where is the ship that brought thee--the
boat that landed thee?" demanded Nisida in a tone of feverish
impatience.

"No ship brought me hither--no boat set me on the shore," answered the
demon, fixing his eyes--those piercing eyes upon Nisida's countenance,
as if to read the impression which this strange revelation made upon her
secret soul.

"Then who art thou?" exclaimed the lady, a cold shudder passing over her
entire frame, although she retreated not nor withdrew the glances which
she, through her wondrous strength of mind, was enabled to retain fixed
upon the demon's countenance.

"Seek not to learn as yet who I am," said the fiend. "Let it suffice for
thee to know that I am something more th