ct, the Archers were heard approaching, appointed to lead
Ambrosio to the Stake. The sound encouraged the Monk in his resolution.

'What is the import of this writing?' said He.

'It makes your soul over to me for ever, 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!'

At this moment the bolt of the outward Door was drawn back. The
Prisoner heard the rattling of Chains; The heavy Bar fell; The Archers
were on the point of entering. Worked up to phrenzy by the urgent
danger, shrinking from the approach of death, terrified by the Daemon's
threats, and seeing no other means to escape destruction, the wretched
Monk complied. He signed the fatal contract, and gave it hastily into
the evil Spirit's hands, whose eyes, as He received the gift, glared
with malicious rapture.

'Take it!' said the God-abandoned; 'Now then save me! Snatch me from
hence!'

'Hold! Do you freely and absolutely renounce your Creator and his Son?'

'I do! I do!'

'Do you make over your soul to me for ever?'

'For ever!'

'Without reserve or subterfuge? Without future appeal to the divine
mercy?'

The last Chain fell from the door of the prison: The key was heard
turning in the Lock: Already the iron door grated heavily upon its
rusty hinges.

'I am yours for ever and irrevocably!' cried the Monk wild with terror:
'I abandon all claim to salvation! I own no power but yours! Hark!
Hark! They come! Oh! save me! Bear me away!'

'I have triumphed! You are mine past reprieve, and I fulfil my
promise.'

While He spoke, the Door unclosed. Instantly the Daemon grasped one of
Ambrosio's arms, spread his broad pinions, and sprang with him into the
air. The roof opened as they soared upwards, and closed again when
they had quitted the Dungeon.

In the meanwhile, the Gaoler was thrown into the utmost surprize by the
disappearance of his Prisoner. Though neither He nor the Archers were
in time to witness the Monk's escape, a sulphurous smell prevailing
through the prison sufficiently informed them by whose aid He had been
li