"Lovely girl," he said, with an impassioned air, "I took advantage of the boy's accident, and used an excusable artifice to draw you here. I sought but to see you, to convince you of the ardour--the truth of my affection. Believe me, that I regret the violence I before used, which your coldness--your cruelty compelled me to resort to. Let me hear my pardon from those lips, beautiful maiden! 'tis all I ask for!" "For the favour you have done to one of my tribe, I would endeavour to forget any injury you would have caused me. Beyond this, I have nothing to forgive: I bear you no malice, noble Lord! and all I now ask is leave to depart," said Azila. "Still haughty and cold! why this indifference? you know not the love-- the passion--with which your charms have inspired my bosom. Surely it cannot be in your nature to be thus so cruel to me, who love you to desperation, who would do ought to please you. Behold this spacious palace! these magnificent chambers! Are they not superior to your skin-covered tents? Remain, and you shall be mistress of all; numberless servants will obey you; sumptuous fare shall be served to you; boundless wealth shall be at your command. Every luxury and indulgence which love can invent shall surround you, if you will but consent to accept them at my hands. Whatever you may desire--any thing--every thing shall be granted to you?" "I make but one simple demand," answered the maiden. "It is to be allowed to depart, free as I came;--more I cannot say." "Have you no other answer to make than that, cruel, inexorable maiden? Hear me!" exclaimed the Count, throwing himself at her feet, and seizing her hand, which she vainly endeavoured to disengage. "Hear me! I love, I adore you to desperation; your very coldness has inflamed my passion! the bright glance of your eyes consumes me; the sweet tones of your voice thrill through my frame, and drive me to madness at the thought of losing you! I cannot exist without you. Hear me once again! I offer you wealth, power, unbounded luxury! I offer you more--my name--my rank--for well could you, as the Countess Erintoff, grace that station. Speak, ere I die at your feet, for I rise not till you give me hopes of life and happiness with you." Azila for an instant seemed moved, and turned aside her head, to avoid his fixed gaze; but there was no answering softness in the expression of her full bright eye. She spoke at length: "Rise, noble Lord! rise, you but demean yourself by thus bending before one humble as myself! I am grateful for your generous offers, but I cannot accept them. A captive can make no just conditions with his jailor, and I still ask but one favour; to depart as I came." The Count started from the ground, astonishment and rising fury blending in his look.