By the power of the untruth she had spoken, she was for a while conquered. Yet as Robert came near them, she felt her strength renewed. She ran to him to warn him. But yet again she was weak. The white knight raised high his glistening right hand, and she fled.
“What aileth her?”
“She is jealous of thee. Ah well—wilt thou not look upon thy best friend?”
“Best friend—thou art my only friend on earth!”
“Earth—what is earth? But thy fortune—Robert—thy fortune! I tell thee ’twas wrested from thee by unholy arts. Regain it by them. Where others have ventured fear not to venture thou!”
“What—can the demon have power on earth?”
“Power! Power! There is but one power equal, or superior to his own. Power! Hast thou courage—is thy heart firm?”
“Lay thy hand upon it ... ah, thou seemst to burn me with thy touch—take thy hand away.”
“Thy heart is firm;—e’en now firmer than before. Thou hast heard of the ruined abbey, whose inhabitants with itself were delivered to the powers of hell.”
“I have heard, but not believed.”