"'Devil, I defy thee!' he exclaimed, dashing me violently against the wall; and then quitting his hold.
"'Brother Dominique, are you mad?' I asked, as soon as I could recover my breath.
"'It is a lie! I am not mad!' he ejaculated, glaring fiercely upon me, and biting his lip until the blood streamed from his beard.
"Hardly knowing what I did, I again approached the lamp; when he again sprang to my side, and pushed me violently from before it.
"'Must I kill you, too?' he said, in a whisper that pierced me.
"'You are excited,' I replied, with all the calmness I could muster. 'I thought you were asleep, or I should first have spoken to you about your lamp, the burning of which, at this late hour, is a violation of the rules.'
"He covered his face with his hands while I was speaking; and when he again looked up, all traces of former agitation had vanished.
"'Forgive me, father,' he said, with composure. 'Our superior has granted me the privilege of having a light always burning, as I am subject to fits, such as you have just witnessed, and cannot do without it. God have mercy upon me! I might have murdered you,' he added, turning suddenly pale again, and leaning against the damp wall.
"I delivered my message, being anxious to leave a being whose passions were so violent when aroused; but he called me back as I turned away, and resting upon his hard bed, motioned for me to take a seat beside him.