He burst into a mad laugh, while Christine gave a disconsolate moan behind her velvet mask. With a tragic gesture, she flung out her two arms, which fixed a barrier of white flesh against the door.

“In the name of our love, Raoul, you shall not pass!⁠ ⁠…”

He stopped. What had she said?⁠ ⁠… In the name of their love?⁠ ⁠… Never before had she confessed that she loved him. And yet she had had opportunities enough.⁠ ⁠… Pooh, her only object was to gain a few seconds!⁠ ⁠… She wished to give the Red Death time to escape.⁠ ⁠… And, in accents of childish hatred, he said: