"Not so, not so!" cried Thorneycroft. "Come to me, Ebba!—come to your father. O Heaven! she hears me not! she heeds me not! Her senses are gone."
"She is fast bound by a spell," said Rougemont. "Take a last look of her. You will see her no more."
And, stretching out his hand, the curtains slowly descended, and shrouded the figure from view.
Thorneycroft groaned aloud.
"Are you not content?" cried Rougemont. "Will you depart in peace, and swear never to come here more? If so, I will liberate you and your companions."
"So far from complying with your request, I swear never to rest till I have rescued my child from you, accursed being!" cried Thorneycroft energetically.
"You have sealed your doom, then," replied Rougemont. "But before you are yourself immured, you shall see how Auriol Darcy is circumstanced. Bring him along."
And, followed by the attendants, who dragged Mr. Thorneycroft after him, he plunged into an opening on the right. A few steps brought him to the entrance of the cell. Touching the heavy iron door, it instantly swung open, and disclosed Auriol chained to a stone at the farther corner of the narrow chamber.
Not a word was spoken for some minutes, but the captives regarded each other piteously.
"Oh, Mr. Thorneycroft," cried Auriol, at length, "I beseech you forgive me. I have destroyed your daughter."