INUATION OF THE STORY OF THE GIANTS.

Now, thought Mignon, is the lucky moment to fulfil the instructions of
the oracle. And then cautiously getting up the side of the couch, with
trembling hands he put the fillet round the monster's neck, and tied it
firmly in a threefold knot; and again softly creeping down, he retired
into a corner of the room to wait the wished event. In a few minutes the
giant waked; and opening his enormous eyes, he glared their horrid orbs
around (but without the least motion of his head or body) and spied the
little Mignon where he lay, close shrinking to avoid his baleful sight.

The giant no sooner perceived his little page at liberty, but his heart
sorely smote him, and he began to suspect the worst that could befall;
for, recollecting that he had carelessly left open the little door
leading from the dungeon to the great hall wherein was placed the fatal
magic statue, he was now entirely convinced that Mignon had discovered
the secret charm on which his power depended; for he already found the
magic of the fillet round his neck fully to operate, his sinews all
relax, his joints all tremble; and when he would by his own hand have
tried to free himself, his shivering limbs he found refused obedience to
their office. Thus bereft of all his strength, and well nigh motionless,
in this extremity of impotence he cast about within himself by what sly
fraud (for fraud and subtlety were now his only refuge) he best might
work upon the gentle Mignon to lend his kind assistance to unloose him.
Wherefore with guileful words and seeming courtesy, still striving to
conceal his cursed condition, he thus bespake his little captive:

'Come hither Mignon; my pretty gentle boy, come near me. This fillet
thou has bound around my neck, to keep me from the cold, gives me some
pain. I know thy gentle nature will not let thee see thy tender master
in the least uneasiness, without affording him thy cheerful aid and kind
relief. Come hither, my dear child, I say, and loose the knot which in
thy kind concern (I thank thee for thy care) thou hast tied so hard, it
somewhat frets my neck.'

These words the insidious wretch uttered in such a low trembling tone of
voice, and with such an affectation of tenderness, that the little page,
who had never before experience from him any such kind of dialect, and
but too well knew his savage nature to believe that anything but guile
or want of power could move him to the least fri