`` Dear Nell , and that was why I found you so pale and cold and quiet , sitting by me when I woke , guarding me faithfully as you promised you would . How brave and kind you were ! '' `` Villain ! I should much like to fire your own pistols at you for this prank of yours . '' And Casimer laughingly filliped the image on its absurdly aquiline nose . `` What in the name of common sense is this goblin here for ? '' demanded the major , testily . `` There is a legend that once the owner of the chateau amused himself by decoying travellers here , putting them to sleep in that room , and by various devices alluring them thither . Here , one step beyond the threshold of the door , was a trap , down which the unfortunates were precipitated to the dungeon at the bottom of the tower , there to die and be cast into the lake through a water-gate , still to be seen . Severin keeps this flattering likeness of the rascal , as he does the monk above , to amuse visitors by daylight , not at night , mademoiselle . '' And Hoffman looked wrathfully at the image , as if he would much enjoy sending it down the trap . `` How ridiculous ! I shall not go about this place alone , for fear of lighting upon some horror of this sort . I 've had enough ; come away into the garden ; it 's full of roses , and we may have as many as we like . '' As she spoke Amy involuntarily put out her hand for Casimer to lead her down the steep stone steps , and he pressed the little hand with a tender look which caused it to be hastily withdrawn . `` Here are your roses . Pretty flower ; I know its meaning in English , for it is the same with us . To give a bud to a lady is to confess the beginning of love , a half open one tells of its growth , and a full-blown one is to declare one 's passion . Do you have that custom in your land , mademoiselle ? '' He had gathered the three as he spoke , and held the bud separately while looking at his companion wistfully .
`` No , we are not poetical , like your people , but it is a pretty fancy , '' and XXXXX settled her bouquet with an absorbed expression , though inwardly wondering what he would do with his flowers .
Amy Casimer English Hoffman Severin Villain daylight fire goblin night