Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/120

 party of horse, set out, full of hope, to the appointed place, to await the adventure.

Emma meantime, with all the subtlety of her sex, had been doing all that she deemed necessary to secure the success of her project. She had ceased to torment the all-enduring Gnome with deadly coldness; her eye spoke hope; her deportment relaxed somewhat of its haughty reserve. How transporting so favourable a change, to a suitor hitherto repulsed with scorn! Rubezahl, spirit as he was, fell into the snare. Discouragement had long closed his lips; he now once more became eloquent, nay, even pressing. Emma seemed to yield; she requested but one day’s delay; which the Gnome, intoxicated with love and joy, willingly consented to, and then retired, deeming his triumph perfectly secure.

Next morning, shortly after sunrise, Emma came forth from her toilet, dressed like a bride, and ornamented with all her jewels. Her fair hair was gracefully arranged in a knot, which a myrtle wreath encircled; the edges of her robe glittered with precious stones. On seeing the Gnome, who was impatiently expecting her upon the great terrace, she modestly covered her face with her veil. “Celestial maid,” said Rubezahl, in faltering accents, “deny me not the joy of drinking deep draughts of love from thine eyes; let nothing intercept those tender,