``Ha！’’answeredtheBaron，afteralongpause，``anthouknowestthat，thouartindeedtheauthorofevil，andasomniscientasthemonkscallthee！——
ThatsecretIdeemedlockedinmyownbreast，andinthatofonebesides——thetemptress，thepartakerofmyguilt——Go，leaveme，fiend！andseektheSaxonwitchUlrica，whoalonecouldtelltheewhatsheandIalonewitnessed——Go，Isay，toher，whowashedthewounds，andstraightedthecorpse，andgavetotheslainmantheoutwardshowofonepartedintimeandinthecourseofnature——Gotoher，shewasmytemptress，thefoulprovoker，themorefoulrewarder，ofthedeed——lether，aswellasI，tasteofthetortureswhichanticipatehell！’’
``Shealreadytastesthem，’’saidUlrica，steppingbeforethecouchofFront-de-Buf；``shehathlongdrunkenofthiscup，anditsbitternessisnowsweetenedtoseethatthoudostpartakeit——Grindnotthyteeth，Front-de-Buf——rollnotthineeyes——clenchnotthinehand，norshakeitatmewiththatgestureofmenace！——Thehandwhich，likethatofthyrenownedancestorwhogainedthyname，couldhavebrokenwithonestroketheskullofamountain-bull，isnowunnervedandpowerlessasmineown！’’
``Vilemurderoushag！’’repliedFront-de-Buf；
``detestablescreech-owl！itisthenthouwhoartcometoexultovertheruinsthouhastassistedtolaylow?’’