All this was a mystery to the young man, but he followed his conductor without a word, and was presently ushered into a gorgeously-furnished and brilliantly-illuminated apartment. The servant then left them; and as soon as he was gone Auriol exclaimed, "Is it to mock me that you have brought me hither?" "To mock you--no," replied Rougemont. "I have told you that I mean to make you rich. But you look greatly exhausted. A glass of wine will revive you." And as he spoke, he stepped towards a small cabinet, and took from it a curiously-shaped bottle and a goblet. "Taste this wine--it has been long in our family," he added, filling the cup. "It is a strange, bewildering drink," cried Auriol, setting down the empty goblet, and passing his hand before his eyes. "You have taken it upon an empty stomach--that is all," said Rougemont. "You will be better anon." "I feel as if I were going mad," cried Auriol. "It is some damnable potion you have given me." "Ha! ha!" laughed Rougemont. "It reminds you of the elixir you once quaffed--eh?" "A truce to this raillery!" cried Auriol angrily. "I have said I am in no mood to bear it." "Pshaw! I mean no offence," rejoined the other, changing his manner. "What think you of this house?" "That it is magnificent," replied Auriol, gazing around. "I envy you its possession." "It shall be yours, if you please," replied Rougemont. "Mine! you are mocking me again." "Not in the least. You shall buy it from me, if you please." "At what price?" asked Auriol bitterly. "At a price you can easily pay," replied the other. "Come this way, and we will conclude the bargain." Proceeding towards the farther end of the room, they entered a small exquisitely-furnished chamber, surrounded with sofas of the most luxurious description. In the midst was a table, on which writing materials were placed. "It were a fruitless boon to give you this house without the means of living in it," said Rougemont, carefully closing the door. "This pocket-book will furnish you with them." [Illustration: The Compact.] "Notes to an immense amount!" cried Auriol, opening the pocket-book, and glancing at its contents. "They are yours, together with the house," cried Rougemont, "if you will but sign a compact with me." "A compact!" cried Auriol, regarding him with a look of undefinable terror. "Who and what are you?" "Some men would call me the devil!" replied Rougemont carelessly. "But you know me too well to suppose that I merit such a designation. I offer you wealth. What more could you require?" "But upon what terms?" demanded Auriol. "The easiest imaginable," replied the other. "You shall judge for yourself." And as he spoke, he opened a writing-desk upon the table, and took from it a parchment. "Sit down," he added, "and read this." Auriol complied, and as he scanned the writing he became transfixed with fear and astonishment, while the pocket-book dropped from his grasp.