Charles Mills

The Knight and the Dwarf Charles Mills

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ...a virtue in excess," said the Dwarf; "and all that it hath led me to acquire I lay at thy feet, fair Queen." "Anger me not," said Pimpelina, "with thy odious suit. I abhor thy presence, and pray thee to rid me of it." At these words the Black Dwarf's face became almost livid with rage, and waving his long arms aloft, and shaking his clenched hands, he said, "Then hark thee, fair one. Though I am powerless to work thee evil, being as thou art of a race akin to mine own, yet art thou unable to escape from this place; and here thou shalt remain until thou hast become more docile, and learnt to sue for the freedom I alone can bestow." "I heed not thy threats," exclaimed Pimpelina, roused to indignation by this threat; "for I need only utter thy name to regain my freedom." "Ah! ah! that's true enough, my fair one; but methinks thou wilt nevertheless tarry here a long while." "Time will show," answered the Queen. "But leave me; for thy presence is odious, and thy threats idle as the wind." "As thou wilt," said the Black Dwarf; "but when I return, maybe thy mood will be changed, and thy scorn turned to beseeching." Pimpelina did not deign to speak further with him, and he accordingly left her to keep his appointment with Rumpelheim. No sooner had he departed than Emilia joined her. "Isn't he an odious, disagreeable, wicked old Dwarf!" she exclaimed. "Oh! how I wish I knew his name." "We must not despair of discovering it," said the Queen; "for I have faith in Elberich, and he promised to free us." "But wasn't the Black Dwarf angry?" asked Emilia. "Indeed he was; for he knew that his threats were i...