ould have softened a
tiger, she exclaimed in her sleep, 'lovest thou me no longer, Idallan?'
Yet did Idallan, with a malicious scowl, raise his arm to strike. At
that instant a flash of lightning hurled the dagger from his hand, and,
instead of Rasalkol, the sorceress Hiorba stood before him. Her
piercing glance seemed almost annihilating, and the trembling culprit
cast his eyes upon the earth, as if imploring it to open and swallow
him.

'Daughter, your tender husband would become your murderer!' said
Hiorba. 'Thus is your hasty choice rewarded.' Then turning to Idallan:
'the soul's deepest grief, the eternal loss of her heart's peace,
punishes your unhappy wife for her disregard of the maternal advice;
but what can be a sufficient punishment for you?'

Idallan was silent.

'Your obdurate heart was steeled against your wife, your faithful
brother-in-arms, and against me, to whose kindness you were indebted
for the foundation of your fortunes. Ambition and shameful avarice have
incited you to the blackest crimes! Be your punishment proportioned to
your deeds! Therefore up, demons! drag this condemned one to Hecla's
ever flaming gulf! There let soul and body suffer the pain of the
dreadful sulphur bath, until the mortal part has become changed to
gold. For a thousand years may the sordid dross remain, until by
millions of accidents it becomes transformed into a circle, and presses
a crowned and joyless head. When the crown thus formed sparkles with
gems, awaken in the miserable metal its gnawing consciousness, and, so
long as the diadem endures, torture the soul with the perception of
treasures and honors never to be enjoyed!'

Having spoken thus, Hiorba waved her fearful wand. Two horrible demons
appeared, and, with a laugh, which extorted a howl of anguish from the
criminal, forced him away.

CHAPTER XI.

The inconstant Ryno had one day been belated while engaged in the
chase, which had become his favorite occupation since the destruction
of his matrimonial peace. He had pursued a wounded doe into a thicket
out of which he was unable to find his way. The evening air blew chill,
the stars shone faintly through the nebulous atmosphere, and the
moonless night was spreading its brown mantle over the earth. A deep
silence pervaded the forest, broken only by the hootings of the owl,
and the howlings of the wolf. Ryno dismounted to grope for the devious
path. He wandered on in thi