"You think me mad," said Auriol; "would I were so! But I shall never lose the clear perception of my woes. Hear me, Ebba! Fate has brought me into this house. I have seen you, and experienced your gentle ministry; and it is impossible, so circumstanced, to be blind to your attractions. I have only been too sensible to them--but I will not dwell on that theme, nor run the risk of exciting a passion which must destroy you. I will ask you to hate me--to regard me as a monster whom you ought to shun rather than as a being for whom you should entertain the slightest sympathy." "You have some motive in saying this to me," cried the terrified girl. "My motive is to warn you," said Auriol. "If you love me, you are lost--utterly lost!" She was so startled, that she could make no reply, but burst into tears. Auriol took her hand, which she unresistingly yielded. "A terrible fatality attaches to me, in which you must have no share," he said, in a solemn tone. "Would you had never come to my father's house!" she exclaimed, in a voice of anguish. "Is it, then, too late?" cried Auriol despairingly. "It is--if to love you be fatal," she rejoined. "Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, striking his forehead with his clenched hand. "Recall your words--Ebba--recall them--but no, once uttered--it is impossible. You are bound to me for ever. I must fulfil my destiny." At this juncture a low growl broke from the dog, and, guided by the sound, the youthful couple beheld, standing near the gate, the tall dark man in the black cloak. A fiendish smile sat upon his countenance. "That is the man who frightened me!" cried Ebba. "It is the person I supposed!" ejaculated Auriol. "I must speak to him. Leave me, Ebba. I will join you presently." And as the girl, half sinking with apprehension, withdrew, he advanced quickly towards the intruder. "I have sought you for some days," said the tall man, in a stern, commanding voice. "You have not kept your appointment with me." "I could not," replied Auriol--"an accident has befallen me." "I know it," rejoined the other. "I am aware you were assailed by ruffians in the ruined house over the way. But you are recovered now, and can go forth. You ought to have communicated with me." "It was my intention to do so," said Auriol. "Our meeting cannot be delayed much longer," pursued the stranger. "I will give you three more days. On the evening of the last day, at the hour of seven, I shall look for you at the foot of the statue in Hyde Park." "I will be there," replied Auriol. "That girl must be the next victim," said the stranger, with a grim smile. "Peace!" thundered Auriol. "Nay, I need not remind you of the tenure by which you maintain your power," rejoined the stranger. "But I will not trouble you further now." And, wrapping his cloak more closely round him, he disappeared. "Fate has once more involved me in its net," cried Auriol bitterly. "But I will save Ebba, whatever it may cost me. I will see her no more."