But he knew that I would disclose all the truth so soon as the Maid returned, wherefore he was bound to destroy me, which he would assuredly do with every mockery, cruelty, and torture of body and mind.

Merely to think of him when he was absent was wont to make my flesh creep, so entirely evil beyond the nature of sinful mankind was this monster, and so set on working all kinds of mischief with greediness.

Whether he had suffered some grievous wrong in his youth, which he spent his life in avenging on all folk, or whether, as I deem likely, he was the actual emissary of Satan, as the Maid was of the saints, I know not, and, as I lay there, had no wits left to consider of it.

Only I knew that no more unavailing victim than I was ever so utterly in the power of a foe so deadly and terrible.
The Maid had gone, and all hope had gone with her.

For a time that seemed unending mine enemy neither spoke nor moved, standing still in the chink of light, a devil where an angel had been.
There was silence, and I heard the Maid's iron tread pass down the creaking wooden stairs, and soon I heard the sound of singing birds, for my window looked out on the garden.
The steps ceased, and then there was a low grating laughter in the dark room, as if the devil laughed.
Brother Thomas moved stealthily to the door, and thrust in the wooden bolt.