“I think you have only to try and there is no doubt of success,” remarked Oriel: “Go to him, be kind to him; tell him how much you are afflicted by observing him abandon all his friends, and assure him how happy it will make you to see him exerting himself in the same social offices in which he used to take delight.”
“Do you really think that would be of use?” inquired Lilya, as she raised her eyes till they met those of her companion.
“There is not a doubt of it,” replied he.
“Then I will go this moment,” she exclaimed; and leaping from the sofa, she hastened out of the cabin.
Zabra was alone bending over his harp and striking a series of melancholy chords. He was so completely lost in his own reflections, which evidently from the gloomy expression of his countenance were far from being pleasant, that he did not observe the approach of Lilya. The first notice he had of her vicinity was in feeling his hand timidly laid hold of; and on turning his head round, he beheld her gazing on him anxiously and kindly close at his side.
“What brought you here? Why do you follow me? Is there no place where I can be secure from your intrusion?” were the quick inquiries of the young musician, as with a stern look he snatched his hand from the hold of the timid girl.
“Indeed I have no wish to offend you, Zabra,” said Lilya, feeling quite confounded with the unfriendly reception she had met with. “I come to you, because I think you are unhappy.”
“Who told you I was unhappy?” asked Zabra, sharply; “and what is my unhappiness to you?”
“It is much, because it makes me unhappy,” replied the simple girl; “and I thought you were unhappy, because you have abandoned all your friends, and deprived me of the pleasure you used to confer.”
“I did not abandon them till they showed themselves unworthy of my companionship,” said the youth proudly. “Do you think I can sit quietly to become the victim of deceit and treachery? Do you imagine I can stand tamely by while the heart I worship is ensnared by another? No! I cannot endure it, and I will not. I wish to be alone.”