The charms of Imogen had been in turn heightened with joy, and
mellowed with distress. Even the conscious dignity, and haughty air she
now assumed, gave new attractions to her form, and new grace to her
manner. Her muscles trembled with horror and disdain. Her eloquent blood
wrought distinctly in her veins, and spoke in a tone, not more dignified
than enchanting. Her whole figure had a life, an expression, a
loveliness, that it is impossible to conceive.
Roderic rushed forward unappalled, and unsubdued. He had already seized
his unwilling victim. In vain she resisted his violence; in vain she
strove to escape from her betrayer. "For pity's sake--for mercy's
sake--for the sake of all our past endearments--spare me!--relent--and
spare me--spare me!--" For a time she struggled; but her tender frame
was soon overcome by the strength of her destroyer. She became cold and
insensible in his arms.
At this moment a flood of splendid lightning filled the apartment. The
air was rent with the hoarse and deafening roar of the thunder, the door
flew open, and the form of that spectre that he most abhorred stood
before Roderic. "Go on," cried the phantom, "complete thy heroic
purpose. Scorn the tremendous sounds that now appal thee.
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