〃Allow her to speak;〃 said James Starr in a decided tone。
〃I am the granddaughter of old Silfax;〃 resumed Nell。 〃I never knew a mother till the day I came here;〃 added she; looking at Madge。
〃Blessed be that day; my daughter!〃 said the old woman。
〃I knew no father till I saw Simon Ford;〃 continued Nell; 〃nor friend till the day when Harry"s hand touched mine。 Alone with my grandfather I have lived during fifteen years in the remote and most solitary depths of the mine。 I say WITH my grandfather; but I can scarcely use the expression; for I seldom saw him。 When he disappeared from Old Aberfoyle; he concealed himself in caverns known only to himself。 In his way he was kind to me; dreadful as he was; he fed me with whatever he could procure from outside the mine; but I can dimly recollect that in my earliest years I was the nursling of a goat; the death of which was a bitter grief to me。 My grandfather; seeing my distress; brought me another animal…… a dog he said it was。 But; unluckily; this dog was lively; and barked。 Grandfather did not like anything cheerful。 He had a horror of noise; and had taught me to be silent; the dog he could not teach to be quiet; so the poor animal very soon disappeared。 My grandfather"s panion was a ferocious bird; Harfang; of which; at first; I had a perfect horror; but this creature; in spite of my dislike to it; took such a strong affection for me; that I could not help returning it。 It even obeyed me better than its master; which used to make me quite uneasy; for my grandfather was jealous。 Harfang and I did not dare to let him see us much together; we both knew it would be dangerous。 But I am talking too much about myself: the great thing is about you。〃
〃No; my child;〃 said James Starr; 〃tell us everything that es to your mind。〃
〃My grandfather;〃 continued Nell; 〃always regarded your abode in the mine with a very evil eye……not that there was any lack of space。 His chosen refuge was far……very far from you。 But he could not bear to feel that you were there。 If I asked any questions about the people up above us; his face grew dark; he gave no answer; and continued quite silent for a long time afterwards。 But when he perceived that; not content with the old domain; you seemed to think of encroaching upon his; then indeed his anger burst forth。 He swore that; were you to succeed in reaching the new mine; you should assuredly perish。 Notwithstanding his great age; his strength is astonishing; and his threats used to make me tremble。〃
〃Go on; Nell; my child;〃 said Simon to the girl; who paused as though to collect her thoughts。
〃On the occasion of your first attempt;〃 resumed Nell; 〃as soon as my grandfather saw that you were fairly inside the gallery leading to New Aberfoyle; he stopped up the opening; and turned it into a prison for you。 I only knew you as shadows dimly seen in the gloom of the pit; but I could not endure the idea that you would die of hunger in these horrid places; and so; at the risk of being detected; I succeeded in obtaining bread and water for you during some days。 I should have liked to help you to escape; but it was so difficult to avoid the vigilance of my grandfather。 You were about to die。 Then arrived Jack Ryan and the others。 By the providence of God I met with them; and instantly guided them to where you were。 When my grandfather discovered what I had done; his rage against me was terrible。 I expected death at his hands。 After that my life became insupportable to me。 My grandfather pletely lost his senses。 He proclaimed himself King of Darkness and Flame; and when he heard your tools at work on coal…beds which he considered entirely his own; he became furious and beat me cruelly。 I would have fled from him; but it was impossible; so narrowly did he watch me。 At last; in a fit of ungovernable fury; he threw me down into the abyss where you found me; and disappeared; vainly calling on Harfang; which faithfully stayed by me; to follow him。 I know not how long I remained there; but I felt I was at the point of death when you; my Harry; came and saved me。 But now you all see that the grandchild of old Silfax can
never be the wife of Harry Ford; because it would be certain death to you all!〃
〃Nell!〃 cried Harry。
〃No;〃 continued the maiden; 〃my resolution is taken。 By one means only can your ruin be averted; I must return to my grandfather。 He threatens to destroy the whole of New Aberfoyle。 His is a soul incapable of mercy or forgiveness; and no mortal can say to what horrid deed the spirit of revenge will lead him。 My duty is clear; I should be the most despicable creature on earth did I hesitate to perform it。 Farewell! I thank you all heartily。 You only have taught me what happiness is。 Whatever may befall; believe that my whole heart remains with you。〃
At these words; Simon; Madge; and Harry started up in an agony of grief; exclaiming in tones of despair; 〃What; Nell! is it possible you would leave us?〃
James Starr put them all aside with an air of authority; and; going straight up to Nell; he took both her hands in his; saying quietly; 〃Very right; my child; you have said exactly what you ought to say; and now listen to what we have to say in reply。 We shall not let you go away; if necessary; we shall keep you by force。 Do you think we could be so base as to accept of your generous proposal? These threats of Silfax are formidable……no doubt about it! But; after all; a man is but a man; and we can take precautions。 You will tell us; will you not; even for his own sake; all you can about his habits and his lurking…places? All we want to do is to put it out of his power to do harm; and perhaps bring him to reason。〃
〃You possible;〃 said Nell。 〃My grandfather is everywhere and nowhere。 I have never seen his retreats。 I have never seen him sleep。 If he meant to conceal himself; he used to leave me alone; and vanish。 When I took my resolution; Mr。 Starr; I was aware of everything you could say against it。 Believe me; there is but one way to render Silfax powerless; and that will be by my return to him。 Invisible himself; he sees everything that goes on。 Just think whether it is likely he could discover your ve
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