In the midst of this contention we descended into the vaults." Helen shuddered at the thought of how near she was to falling into the hands of so fierce a spirit.

In his character, he united every quality which could render power formidable; combining prodigious bodily strength with cruelty, dissimulation, and treachery.

He was feared by the common people as a sorcerer; and avoided by the virtuous of his own rank, as an enemy to all public law, and the violator of every private tie.

Helen Mar had twice refused his hand: first, during the contest for the kingdom, when his pretended claim to the crown was disallowed.
She was then a mere child, hardly more than fourteen; but she rejected him with abhorrence.

Though stung to the quick at being denied the objects both of his love and ambition at the same moment, he did not hesitate at another period to renew his offer to her.