not to regard his hatred, but, telling her crew that he was impatient for the conclusion of his nuptials, stopped opposite to the frightful demon who sat in the chair—
“‘Father,’ said she, ‘this is my bridegroom, he wishes you to unite us for ever.’
“‘Have you the ring?’ said the old fiend, in a harsh and hollow voice.
‘‘This is the one he gave me,’ said the pretended bride, holding forth one which Hendrick knew he had presented to her, some days before.
“‘Is he willing to bind himself to you and yours?’ said the presiding devil of this infernal ceremony.
“‘You shall hear him promise,’ answered the bride. ‘Speak, Hendrick, love, speak,’ continued she to the astonished huntsman, whose hair now stood on end, and whose limbs quaked beneath him, whilst the sweat stood cold upon his brow, although the room felt like a furnace.
“‘If he will not speak, let him kneel and do homage,’ exclaimed Satan.
“At this the fiends on either side of the terrified hunter, strove to pull him down; but Hendrick, aware that by that prostration he
