Ebba continued to talk, but her discourse fell upon a deaf ear, and at last she became silent too. In this way they proceeded along Millbank Street and Abingdon Street, until, turning off on the right, they found themselves before an old and partly-demolished building. By this time it had become quite dark, for the moon was hidden behind a rack of clouds, but a light was seen in the upper storey of the structure, occasioned, no doubt, by a fire within it, which gave a very picturesque effect to the broken outline of the walls. Pausing for a moment to contemplate the ruin, Ebba expressed a wish to enter it. Auriol offered no opposition, and passing through an arched doorway, and ascending a short, spiral, stone staircase, they presently arrived at a roofless chamber, which it was evident, from the implements and rubbish lying about, was about to be razed to the ground. On one side there was a large arch, partly bricked up, through which opened a narrow doorway, though at some height from the ground. With this a plank communicated, while beneath it lay a great heap of stones, amongst which were some grotesque carved heads. In the centre of the chamber was a large square opening, like the mouth of a trap-door, from which the top of a ladder projected, and near it stood a flaming brazier, which had cast forth the glare seen from below. Over the ruinous walls on the right hung the crescent moon, now emerged from the cloud, and shedding a ghostly glimmer on the scene. "What a strange place!" cried Ebba, gazing around with some apprehension. "It looks like a spot one reads of in romance. I wonder where that trap leads to?" "Into the vault beneath, no doubt," replied Auriol. "But why did we come hither?" As he spoke, there was a sound like mocking laughter, but whence arising it was difficult to say. "Did you hear that sound?" cried Auriol. "It was nothing but the echo of laughter from the street," she replied. "You alarm yourself without reason, Auriol." "No, not without reason," he cried. "I am in the power of a terrible being, who seeks to destroy you, and I know that he is at hand. Listen to me, Ebba, and however strange my recital may appear, do not suppose it the ravings of a madman, but be assured it is the truth." "Beware!" cried a deep voice, issuing apparently from the depths of the vault. "Some one spoke," cried Ebba. "I begin to share your apprehensions. Let us quit this place." "Come, then," said Auriol. "Not so fast," cried a deep voice. And they beheld the mysterious owner of the black cloak barring their passage out. "Ebba, you are mine," cried the stranger. "Auriol has brought you to me." "It is false!" cried Auriol. "I never will yield her to you." "Remember your compact," rejoined the stranger, with a mocking laugh. "Oh, Auriol!" cried Ebba, "I fear for your soul. You have not made a compact with this fiend?" "He has," replied the stranger; "and by that compact you are surrendered to me."