Nothing but a fiery stream was at first visible; but, anon, a shrill voice from behind called upon me to attend.
"I turned: It is forbidden to describe what I saw: Words, indeed, would be wanting to the task.

The lineaments of that being, whose veil was now lifted, and whose visage beamed upon my sight, no hues of pencil or of language can pourtray.
"As it spoke, the accents thrilled to my heart.

"Thy prayers are heard.
In proof of thy faith, render me thy wife.

This is the victim I chuse.
Call her hither, and here let her fall."-- The sound, and visage, and light vanished at once.
"What demand was this?
The blood of Catharine was to be shed! My wife was to perish by my hand! I sought opportunity to attest my virtue.
Little did I expect that a proof like this would have been demanded.
"My wife! I exclaimed: O God! substitute some other victim.

Make me not the butcher of my wife.