"Rise," said he to the youth, "and behold in this lady the object of the service to which I appoint you.

You will soon, I hope, be sufficiently recovered to attend upon her wishes as you would upon mine.

Be her servant and her guard; and when we meet again, as she will then be under the protection of her father, if you do not prefer so gentle a service before the rougher one of war, I will resume you to myself." The youth, who had obeyed the knight and risen, bowed respectfully; and Helen, uttering some incoherent words of thanks, to hide her agitation turned away.

The hermit exclaimed, "Again, my son, I beseech Heaven to bless thee!" "And may its guardian care shield all here!" replied the knight.

Helen looked up to bid him a last farewell--but he was gone.