“Here’s that wicked magician!” cried Hocky when he saw Kelch, for he hated the youth almost as much as the villagers hated himself. “Drive him away.”
“He robbed me of my daughter,” said Filina’s father, lifting up his staff, as the men and women of the village broke into murmurs of anger.
“I have come back to restore her,” said Kelch boldly; “and if you come with me to my cottage, you will find her there.”
On hearing this, Filina’s father, followed by Hocky and all the villagers, hastened to the cottage, and there they saw the golden statue.
“It is my daughter sure enough!” cried Filina’s father, with tears in his eyes; “but she is changed into gold.”
“Would you rather have your daughter living, or her golden statue?” asked Kelch, looking at the old man.
“Say the golden statue,” whispered Hocky, pulling the father’s sleeve.
“No, no!” cried Filina’s father, shaking his head; “no gold would recompense me for the loss of my daughter.”
“But your daughter is going to marry me,” said Hocky.
“Yes, that is true,” replied the old man.