Doubtless he was accustomed to such reproaches, for he listened to me calm and smiling, with his arms crossed over his breast.

Then, when he thought I had said all, he advanced toward me; I sprang toward the table, I seized a knife, I placed it to my breast.
"Take one step more," said I, "and in addition to my dishonor, you shall have my death to reproach yourself with." "There was, no doubt, in my look, my voice, my whole person, that sincerity of gesture, of attitude, of accent, which carries conviction to the most perverse minds, for he paused.
"'Your death ?' said he; 'oh, no, you are too charming a mistress to allow me to consent to lose you thus, after I have had the happiness to possess you only a single time.

Adieu, my charmer; I will wait to pay you my next visit till you are in a better humor.' "At these words he blew a whistle; the globe of fire which lighted the room reascended and disappeared.

I found myself again in complete darkness.

The same noise of a door opening and shutting was repeated the instant afterward; the flaming globe descended afresh, and I was completely alone.
"This moment was frightful; if I had any doubts as to my misfortune, these doubts had vanished in an overwhelming reality.