“It makes your soul over to me forever, and without reserve.”

“What am I to receive in exchange?”

“My protection, and release from this dungeon. Sign it, and this instant I bear you away.”

Ambrosio took up the pen; he set it to the parchment. Again his courage failed him: he felt a pang of terror at his heart, and once more threw the pen upon the table.

“Weak and puerile!” cried the exasperated fiend: “Away with this folly! Sign the writing this instant, or I sacrifice you to my rage!”