Page:The Enchanted Knights; or The Chronicle of the Three Sisters.djvu/43

Rh and what a surprise! found herself transported into a sombre cave, the rays of day pouring dimly through its mouth scarcely throwing sufficient light to make visible a fright-inspiring bear who crept out of a corner, glancing dolefully towards her. The unhappy bride sunk insensible on her couch, and remained in that state for a considerable time; at length, recovering from her swoon and regaining strength, she loudly bewailed her hard destiny, and, from without the cavern, a hundred screeching owls responded to her lament. The sentimental bear could no longer remain a spectator of this heart-rending scene. To give vent to the feelings which overwhelmed him, he left his couch, moved slowly into the forest, and did not return till the close of the seventh day. The joy on the wedding day had been so universal, that no one had thought of placing victuals and refreshments on the bed of the bride, to sustain her during the days of enchantment, for the spell had no power over any thing in immediate contact with her, except her husband, who would have become a bear in the hour of metamorphosis, even though in her arms. Wulfield’s distress was such, that for two days nothing approached her lips; but Nature at last asserted her rights, for craving hunger