plied, in a rapid and excited tone, "I have gone through
so much during the last few hours that 'tis a marvel reason has
maintained its seat. If thou lovest me, let us forget all those topics
which have so strongly excited us both: and let us unite our prayers
that Heaven will send thee means to quit this isle and return to thy
native land."

"Fernand," said Nisida, in a tone of deep disappointment and reproach,
"I was not prepared for this. Your words imply that you possess the
power to aid my departure hence, but that you have resolved not to use
it. Is that your decision?"

"I scorn to deceive thee, Nisida, by a direct falsehood in so serious a
matter as this," exclaimed Wagner. "Knowest thou, my beloved, at what
price must be purchased the power which alone can enable _me_ to effect
thy return to Italy? canst thou divine the immeasurable sacrifice which
I must make to gratify thy wishes?"

"Fernand," answered Nisida, in a reproachful and yet resolute tone,
"there is no price that I would not pay to obtain the means of pleasing
thee!--there is no sacrifice that I should shrink from were your
happiness at stake!"

"Nisida," ejaculated Wagner, in a tone of fearful excitement, "you drive
me to despair! Have mercy upon me, Nisida, have mercy upon me! My God!
if you taunt me--if you reproach me--thus I will do all that you
command; but force me not to believe, Nisida--my well beloved
Nisida--that, in espousing thee in the sight of Heaven, I took to my
bosom a fiend instead of a woman, a relentless demon in the most
charming female shape that evil spirit ever wore. Oh! if you knew all,
you would pity me as it is. So wretched on earth you would not compel me
to renounce every hope of salvation; for, know, Nisida," he added, his
countenance wearing an expression of indescribable horror, "know that in
demanding of me this last sacrifice, you ordain that I should sell my
immortal soul to Satan!"

For a moment Nisida appeared shocked and appalled at the words which met
her ears; but she rather recoiled from the manner of fearful excitement
in which they were uttered, than from the intelligence which they
conveyed.

"He who truly loves," she said coldly, as she recovered her equanimity,
"would make _even that_ sacrifice! and now listen--Fernand," she
continued, her eyes flashing fire, and her naked bosom heaving
convulsively as she spoke, while her splendid form was drawn up to its
full height, and her whole aspect subli