Page:Storys (sic) of The wild huntsman.pdf/13

13 he started on seeing a stranger, and angrily inquired his business. Juliana replied in a few words, and Francis seated himself opposite the reviving traveller, who shrank shuddering from his fixed gaze.

'Who are you?' asked Francis sternly, as soon as he saw his guest was sufficiently recovered to speak.

'My name is Carl Von Monder,' replied te man. 'I am a artist, employed by Christian IV. to paint alter–pieces for several towns in Denmark. I am now executing one for the church at Soroe. An enthusiastic love of nature, engendered by my art, led me into this forest to studdy the most striking effects of light and shade. I lost my way, was overtaken by the tempest, and should have perished, but for the angelic kindness of your lovely daughter.'

'I tell you. candidly,' said Francis, that if I had been at home, you should not have been admitted: however, as you are here, you may remain till the storm abates—I will then conduct you through the forest.

The gratitude of the painter was evidently chilled by the ungracious manners of his host, and they sat in perfect silence till the storm had ceased—the artist endeavouring to imprint the features of the forester upon his memory, in order to depict them in the alter-piece he was then painting.