He comes like a spectre: they start away in alarm; the Sorcerer of the Black Wood stands before them.
"Unthinking beings!" he exclaims, "I have descended from my rock to warn you.

You all fix your thoughts upon this girl, Franconnette, who is accursed; for her father, while she was yet in her cradle, became a Huguenot, and sold her to the devil.

Her mother died of grief; and the demon, who watches over that which is his, follows her everywhere in secret.

He has punished Pascal and Laurent, who have sought her.

Be warned; ill-fortune attends whoever would espouse her.