Night came, and the cell grew profoundly dark. Auriol became impatient for the appearance of his keeper, but hour after hour passed and he did not arrive. Worn out, at length, with doubt and bewildering speculations, the miserable captive was beset with the desire to put an end to his torments by suicide, and he determined to execute his fell purpose without delay. An evil chance seemed also to befriend him, for scarcely was the idea formed, than his foot encountered something on the ground, the rattling of which attracted his attention, and stooping to take it up, he grasped the bare blade of a knife. "This will, at all events, solve my doubts," he cried aloud. "I will sheathe this weapon in my heart, and, if I am mortal, my woes will be ended." As he spoke, he placed the point to his breast with the full intent to strike, but before he could inflict the slightest wound, his arm was forcibly arrested. "Would you destroy yourself, madman?" roared a voice. "I thought your violence was abated, and that you might go forth in safety. But I find you are worse than ever." Auriol uttered a groan and let the knife fall to the ground. The new-comer kicked it to a distance with his foot. "You shall be removed to another chamber," he pursued, "where you can be more strictly watched." "Take me forth--oh! take me forth," cried Auriol. "It was a mere impulse of desperation, which I now repent." "I dare not trust you. You will commit some act of insane fury, for which I myself shall have to bear the blame. When I yielded to your entreaties on a former occasion, and took you forth, I narrowly prevented you from doing all we met a mischief." "I have no recollection of any such circumstance," returned Auriol mournfully. "But it may be true, nevertheless. And if so, it only proves the lamentable condition to which I am reduced--memory and reason gone!" "Ay, both gone," cried the other, with an irrepressible chuckle. "Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, starting. "I am not so mad but I recognise in you the Evil Being who tempted me. I am not so oblivious as to forget our terrible interviews." "What, you are in your lunes again!" cried Rougemont fiercely. "Nay, then I must call my assistants, and bind you." "Let me be--let me be!" implored Auriol, "and I will offend you no more. Whatever thoughts may arise within me, I will not give utterance to them. Only take me forth." "I came for that purpose," said Rougemont; "but I repeat, I dare not. You are not sufficiently master of yourself." "Try me," said Auriol. "Well," rejoined the other, "I will see what I can do to calm you." So saying, he disappeared for a few moments, and then returning with a torch, placed it on the ground, and producing a phial, handed it to the captive. "Drink!" he said. Without a moment's hesitation Auriol complied. "It seems to me rather a stimulant than a soothing potion," he remarked, after emptying the phial. "You are in no condition to judge," rejoined the other.