She threw them all
into the flames which burned before her, and they were instantly
consumed.
The Monk beheld her with anxious curiosity. Suddenly She uttered
a loud and piercing shriek. She appeared to be seized with an
access of delirium; She tore her hair, beat her bosom, used the
most frantic gestures, and drawing the poignard from her girdle
plunged it into her left arm. The blood gushed out plentifully,
and as She stood on the brink of the circle, She took care that
it should fall on the outside. The flames retired from the spot
on which the blood was pouring. A volume of dark clouds rose
slowly from the ensanguined earth, and ascended gradually, till
it reached the vault of the Cavern. At the same time a clap of
thunder was heard: The echo pealed fearfully along the
subterraneous passages, and the ground shook beneath the feet of
the Enchantress.
It was now that Ambrosio repented of his rashness. The solemn
singularity of the charm had prepared him for something strange
and horrible. He waited with fear for the Spirit's appearance,
whose coming was announced by thunder and earthquakes. He looked
wildly round him, expecting that some dreadful Apparition would
meet his eyes, the sight of which would drive him mad. A cold
shivering seized his body, and He sank upon one knee, unable to
support himself.
'He comes!' exclaimed Matilda in a joyful accent.
Ambrosio started, and expected the Daemon with terror.
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