The figure threw aside its veil.
"Have you forgotten me already ?" said the princess--or what seemed she.
I neither hesitated nor answered; I walked straight on.
"You meant then to leave me in that horrible sepulchre! Do you not yet understand that where I please to be, there I am?
Take my hand: I am alive as you!" I was on the point of saying, "Give me your left hand," but bethought myself, held my peace, and steadily advanced.
"Give me my hand," she suddenly shrieked, "or I will tear you in pieces: you are mine!" She flung herself upon me.

I shuddered, but did not falter.

Nothing touched me, and I saw her no more.
With measured tread along the path, filling it for some distance, came a body of armed men.

I walked through them--nor know whether they gave way to me, or were bodiless things.

But they turned and followed me; I heard and felt their march at my very heels; but I cast no look behind, and the sound of their steps and the clash of their armour died away.
A little farther on, the moon being now close to the horizon and the way in deep shadow, I descried, seated where the path was so narrow that I could not pass her, a woman with muffled face.
"Ah," she said, "you are come at last! I have waited here for you an hour or more! You have done well! Your trial is over.