"And I will have thee hung higher than ever Haman was, if thou move a step towards it. I know thee, and thy life is in my hands!"
"Ha! you speak mysteriously!"
"Do I? But there is no mystery about thee that Elpsy cannot unravel."
"Speak, woman!"
"Thou darest not harm me, nor do injury to any one I would protect; for I have the key to thy secret, and, therefore, to thy life."
"Thou! Who am I, then? What secret?" he hoarsely demanded.
She approached him, and whispered low in his ear.
He started back as if he had been struck with a dagger, and, staring upon her with wild surprise, in which intense alarm was mingled, cried,
"Who art thou, in Heaven's name?"
"Elpsy the sorceress!"