Meanwhile, the iron door in the rock above had opened, and a woman was seen hurrying down the dangerous path. Her hair was streaming loosely about her shoulders, her eyes were wild and fierce, and she laughed and gesticulated in a fashion that made those who watched her think her crazy. She made her way to where Coryon still stood, a silent witness of what was going on before him; and she then paused and surveyed the awful scene with a smile that was almost devilish. Just then Skelda leaped out of the covered-way on to the ground beneath; then, rising to his feet, looked round despairingly, and, glancing up, he met the fierce gaze and cruel smile of the woman he had so shamefully betrayed. She pointed her finger at him. "Ha! ha!" she cried triumphantly, "this is _my_ work, Skelda! _I_ closed the gates and shut you all in with the outer door. My love to you, my--_husband_!" This last word was hissed out at him between clenched teeth. "My love to you, dear friend." And she mockingly threw him a kiss on the tips of her fingers. Then, when the wretched Skelda's feet were dragged from under him by a branch that had coiled round his legs, she addressed herself to Coryon, who had now fixed his eyes upon her, his evil face twitching convulsively with the fury he could not suppress. "See, great Coryon! Mighty Coryon! All-powerful Coryon! See my handiwork! Yes, _mine_! See what a woman's wit hath done for thy precious friends. What a day to live to see! I saw thee in the clutch of thy prisoner; heard thee called 'coward' to thy face. It was sweet that; and sweet to see thy prey escape thee! And this is sweet too! Look at thy great friend Skelda; see how he kicks and shrieks! Think of it--all my doing! See how Dakla glares! Now he and Palana are fighting one another! Oh, but it is a brave sight to look upon! Fit even for the gods ye have served so well! I think I am almost avenged; but the sweetest of all is yet to come--when I see _thee_ given to the tree, as I _shall_!" Coryon struggled, but vainly, to get at her. She shrugged her shoulders and turned her back upon him, then slowly approached Monella; the look of triumph died away, and an expression that was partly of sorrow, and partly of hard determination, took its place. Arrived in front of him, she threw herself humbly on her knees.