some buzzing insect from her child's cradle, and, making a sign to enjoin
silence, added in a low voice, "She is neither dead nor poisoned. Some
philtre has been given to her for a bad purpose. Her breathing is even,
and she cannot fail to recover from her lethargy."

Gabriel, reassured about Nisida's life, returned silently to the ground
floor where he had left the seducer. His manner was grave and gloomy; he
was coming now not to rend the murderer of his sister with his hands, but
to elucidate a treacherous and infamous mystery, and to avenge his honour
which had been basely attacked. He opened wide the double entrance door
that admitted daylight to the apartment in which, on the few nights that
he spent at home, he was accustomed to sleep with his father. The rain
had just stopped, a ray of moonlight pierced the clouds, and all at once
made its way into the room. The fisherman adjusted his dripping
garments, walked towards the stranger, who awaited him without stirring,
and after having gazed upon him haughtily, said, "Now you are going to
explain your presence in our house."

"I confess," said the prince, in an easy tone and with the most insolent
assurance, "that appearances are against me. It is the fate of lovers to
be treated as thieves. But although I have not the advantage of being
known to you, I am betrothed to the fair Nisida--with your father's
approval, of course. Now, as I have the misfortune to possess very
hardhearted parents, they have had the cruelty to refuse me their
consent. Love led me astray, and I was about to be guilty of a fault for
which a young man like you ought to have some indulgence. Furthermore,
it was nothing but a mere attempt at an abduction, with the best
intentions in the world, I swear, and I am ready to atone for everything
if you will agree to give me your hand and call me your brother."