to her soul. She was also distressed at his
prolonged absence on grounds more creditable to her heart, for she
shuddered at the idea that her handsome Fernand might at that very
moment be writhing in the coils of a horrible snake. Then, arousing
herself, Nisida resolved to attempt the passage of the mountains, and
seek for her lover and rescue him if possible, and if not, to die with
him. But as she drew near the craggy mountains she suddenly beheld the
object of her anxiety approaching her, and in a few minutes they were
locked in each other's arms.

"My Fernand," said Nisida at length, "I feared that some danger had
befallen you, and I was hastening to join you on the other side of these
heights, either to aid you in escaping from the peril, or to share its
consequences with you."

"Beloved Nisida!" exclaimed Wagner, "how welcome to me is this proof of
thy regard, this earnest of thy love."

"I can never cease to love you, dear Fernand," answered Nisida, turning
her fine large eyes upon his handsome face. "Oh, that I should seek to
quit thee! The thought smites me to the inmost recesses of my heart. And
yet it is to some extent thy fault, for wherefore wilt thou not
accompany me?"

"In the first place, beloved one," replied Wagner, "thou talkest as if a
ship were already in sight, or a boat lay ready to launch from this
shore; secondly, I have before assured thee that I dared not return to
Florence, and that as I cannot therefore be thy companion thither, it
would be better for me to remain on the island, to which, perhaps," he
added in a mournful tone, "you might, after all, never come back!"

"Oh! Fernand, think not so ill of your Nisida!" she cried, throwing one
of her snowy full arms round his neck, and looking earnestly, but yet
tenderly on his countenance. "Never, never shall I know happiness again
until I have revisited Florence. Each day that passes without giving me
a hope to see this aim fulfilled, increases my misery, adds to my
uneasiness, augments my anxiety--so that in a short time my suspense
will become intolerable. It is nearly so already, Fernand--but pity me;
yes--and help me, if you can!"

"Dearest Nisida, willingly would I sacrifice my own inclinations to
forward thine," exclaimed Wagner in a tone of deep sincerity; "but how
is it possible that I can aid thee? I have not wings to affix to thy
fair shoulder, I have not a voice powerful enough to raise echoes on a
shore whence assistance migh