you resign many things which it would be easy for you to obtain if you did not give up the prisoner; but think, that Alina's destiny, her life, depends upon the possession of this prisoner, that———"
"Angelic creature!" interrupted Peregrine, "if you don't wish that I should take it all for a delirious dream, or perhaps become delirious on the spot myself, tell me at once of whom you are speaking, who is this prisoner?"
"How!" replied the maiden "I do not understand you; would you deny that he is in your custody? Was I not present when you bought the hunting-set?"
"Who," cried Peregrine, quite beside himself, "who is this he? For the first time in my life I see you, lady, and who are you? who is this he?"
Dissolving in grief, the stranger threw herself at Peregrine's feet, while the tears poured down in abundant streams from her eyes: "Be humane, be merciful give him back to me!"—and at the same time her exclamations were mingled with those of Peregrine, "I shall
