“As he spoke, his expression was at once so convulsed and so derisive, so indicative of malignity and levity, so thrilling to the heart, while it withered every fibre it touched and wrung, that Isidora, with all her innocent and helpless devotedness, could not avoid shuddering before this fearful being, while, in trembling and unappeaseable solicitude, she demanded, “Will you then be mine? Or what am I to understand from your terrible words? Alas! _my_ heart has never enveloped itself in mysteries--never has the light of its truth burst forth amid the thunderings and burnings in which you have issued the law of my destiny.”--“Will you then be mine, Isidora?”--“Consult my parents. Wed me by the rites, and in the face of the church, of which I am an unworthy member, and I will be yours for ever.”--“_For ever!_” repeated Melmoth; “well-spoken, _my_ bride. You will then be mine _for ever_?--will you, Isidora?”--“Yes!--yes!--I have said so. But the sun is about to rise, I feel the increasing perfume of the orange blossoms, and the coolness of the morning air. Begone--I have staid too long here--the domestics may be about, and observe you--begone, I implore you.”--“I go--but one word--for to me the rising of the sun, and the appearance of your domestics, and every thing in heaven above, and earth beneath, is equally unimportant. Let the sun stay below the horizon and wait for me. _You are mine!_”--“Yes, I am yours; but you must solicit my family.”--“Oh, doubtless!--solicitation is so congenial to my habits.”--“And”---- “Well, what?--you hesitate.”--“I hesitate,” said the ingenuous and timid Isidora, “because”---- “Well?”--“Because,” she added, bursting into tears, “those with whom you speak will not utter to God language like mine. They will speak to you of wealth and dower; they will inquire about that region where you have told me your rich and wide possessions are held; and should they ask me of them, how shall I answer?” “At these words, Melmoth approached as close as possible to the casement, and uttered a certain word which Isidora did not at first appear to hear, or understand--trembling she repeated her request. In a still lower tone the answer was returned. Incredulous, and hoping that the answer had deceived her, she again repeated her petition. A withering monosyllable, not to be told, thundered in her ears,--and she shrieked as she closed the casement. Alas! the casement only shut out the form of the stranger--not his image. CHAPTER XXI. He saw the eternal fire that keeps, In the unfathomable deeps, Its power for ever, and made a sign To the morning prince divine; Who came across the sulphurous flood, Obedient to the master-call, And in angel-beauty stood, High on his star-lit pedestal.