"I say," repeated the knight, in a tone of some annoyance, and raising his voice, for
Eileen was making such a noise that it was really necessary to speak pretty loudly—"I say you have unfortunately seen me to-day under a shape that you were not prepared for; but I have come, my love, to assure you that the—transformation—was purely accidental—a mere blunder of a moment—an occurrence that shall never be repeated in your sight. Look up to me again, Eileen, and do not let this eve of our marriage-day——"
But what the knight had got to say about the eve of their marriage-day Eileen never heard, for as soon as he had reached these words she gave another shriek so loud that he jumped upon his seat.
"Do you think that I will ever marry a black cat?" cried Eileen, fixing her eyes with a look of horror on his face.
"Eileen, take care!" exclaimed the knight sternly. "Take care how you anger me, or it will be the worse for you."
"The worse for me! Do you think I am afraid of you?" said Eileen with her eyes all
flashing, for she had a high enough spirit, and was not going to allow herself to be forced to marry a black cat, let the knight say what he would. She rose from her couch and would have sprung to the ground, if all at once the knight had not bent forward and taken her by her hand.
"Eileen," said the knight, holding her fast and looking into her face, "Eileen, will you be my wife?"
"I would sooner die!" cried Eileen.
"Eileen," cried the knight passionately, "I love you! Do not break your promise to me. Forget what you have seen. I am a powerful magician. I will make you happy. I will give you all you want. Be my wife."