Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 1).djvu/117

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE BLACK DWARF.
107

serve it, however, and do not part with it. Come to me in your hour of adversity. Show me that rose, or but one leaf of it, were it withered as my heart is—if it should be in my fiercest and wildest movements of rage against a hateful world, still it will recal gentler thoughts to my bosom, and per-haps afford happier prospects to thine. But no message," he exclaimed, rising into his usual mood of misanthropy,—"no message—no go-between! Come thyself; and the heart and the doors that are shut against every other earthly being, shall open to thee and to thy sorrows. And now pass on."

He let go the bridle-rein, and the young lady rode on, after expressing her thanks to this singular being, as well as her surprise at the extraordinary nature of his address would permit, often turning back to look at the Dwarf, who still remained at the door of his habitation, and watched her progress over the moor towards her