Catharina began to weep.

This was a better argument; Conrad could not hold out against it.
He yielded and said she should have her wish if she would only smile and be happy again.

She flung her arms about his neck, and the kisses she gave him showed that her thankfulness and her pleasure were very real.
Then she flew to tell the company her success, and the applause she received made her glad and proud she had undertaken her mission, since all alone she had accomplished what the multitude had failed in.
At midnight, that night, after the usual feasting, Conrad was taken to the haunted chamber and left there.

He fell asleep, by and by.
When he awoke again and looked about him, his heart stood still with horror! The whole aspect of the chamber was changed.

The walls were moldy and hung with ancient cobwebs; the curtains and beddings were rotten; the furniture was rickety and ready to fall to pieces.