'"In old tales," said he, kissing away my tears, "you have read of persons who sold themselves to the devil?"
'"Yes," said I, breathless with wonder and apprehension at his manner.
'"And whose time on earth was hence allotted?"
'"Yes."
'"Do you think that after such a bond was signed—perhaps in blood—life would be pleasant?"
'"No, Lucien; but what do you mean?"
'"That I seem to have so sold myself," he replied, wildly, with his eyes closed.
'"Oh, explain—what do you—what can you mean?" I asked him, imploringly, as a dreadful fear came over me that his brain was affected.
'"I have sold myself to an evil spirit, and now come remorse and misery—remorse for what you will suffer, misery for my own future."
'"Oh, Lucien—my husband!" I exclaimed, folding him in my arms, a what do these dreadful words mean?"