And Sorrow felt herself pressed against the angular columns, and in the noise that clamored round her, she heard—
"Bind her, bind her, tear out her heart. Blind the eyes of her who has brought so much woe."
In her fear she cried—
"Beware what you do, Pain comes behind me, and terrible will be his revenge if you hurt a hair of my head."
Then she forced a road for herself and ran on, on to the spot where she fancied was the outlet She groped a long while along the dripping walls, but just as she had found it, she felt herself held anew, and a voice said—
"And what will Pain do to you if you flee thither? Kiss me, or I will betray you."
"Do not kiss him, his face is quite mutilated," called another voice.
"I will betray you," was whispered into her ear. "I will hold you fast until Pain comes. Kiss me."
Sorrow bent down trembling, and touched a hideous mass with her delicate lips; then she freed herself shuddering, and fled on again along the dark passage. She had to bend nearly double, it grew so low. She dipped her hand in the water and washed her face. It seemed to her as if she never advanced, as if she would never reach the end. At last there shone a bright spot that slowly grew larger. There, yes, there, gleamed the dear sun; there must be the happy valley. But how, if Peace, whom she had sought in vain over the whole earth, were there no longer! But if he were not, she could at least follow in his footsteps, and rest there where he had passed.