Page:The castle of Otranto (Third Edition).djvu/149

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tector, said, sure I have heard that voice before! not to my knowledge, replied Theodore, unless as I conjecture thou art the Lady Isabella, —merciful heaven! cried she, thou art not sent in quest of me, art thou? and saying those words, she threw herself at his feet, and besought him not to deliver her up to Manfred. To Manfred! cried Theodore—no, Lady, I have once already delivered thee from his tyranny, and it shall fare hard with me now, but I will place thee out of the reach of his daring. Is it possible, said she, that thou shouldst be the generous unknown whom I met last night in the vault of the castle? sure thou art not a mortal, but my guardian angel: On my knees let me thank—hold, gentle Princess, said Theodore, nor demean thyself before a poor and friendless young man. If heaven has selected me for thy deliverer, it will accomplish its work, and strengthen my arm in thy cause—but come, Lady, we are too near the mouth of the cavern; let us seek its inmost recesses: Ican