"God, Whom it has pleased that I should be given to a fate far worse than death; O God, blast the mind and the soul of this monster.

Let him henceforth never know a peaceful hour; let misfortune come upon him through me and mine; let fears haunt his sleep.

Let him live in heavy labour and die in blood and misery, and through me; and if I bear children to him, let the evil be upon them also." She ceased.

Montalvo looked at her and tried to speak.

Again he looked and again he tried to speak, but no words would come.
Then the fear of Lysbeth van Hout fell upon him, that fear which was to haunt him all his life.