back the faculties which thou hast lost----'"

And again was the smile sinister and strange that played upon the lips
of the demon. But Wagner noticed it not. His imagination was excited by
the subtle discourse to which he had lent so ready an ear.

"And hast _thou_ the power," he cried impatiently, "to render me thus
powerful?"

"I have," answered the demon.

"But the terms--the conditions--the compact!" exclaimed Wagner, in
feverish haste, though with foreboding apprehension.

"THINE IMMORTAL SOUL!" responded the fiend, in a low but sonorous and
horrifying whisper.

"No--no!" shrieked Wagner, covering his face with his hands. "Avaunt,
Satan, I defy thee! Ten thousand, thousand times preferable is the doom
of the Wehr-Wolf, appalling even though that be!" With folded arms and
scornful countenance, did the demon stand gazing upon Wagner, by the
light of the supernatural luster which filled the cell.

"Dost thou doubt my power?" he demanded, in a slow and imperious tone.
"If so, put it to the test, unbelieving mortal that thou art! But
remember--should'st thou require evidence of that power which I propose
to make available to thee, it must not be to give thee liberty, nor
aught that may enhance thy interest."

"And any other evidence thou wilt give me?" asked Wagner, a sudden idea
striking him.

"Yes," answered the demon, who doubtless divined his thoughts, for again
did a scornful smile play upon his lips. "I will convince thee, by any
manifestation thou may'st demand, subject to the condition ere now
named, I will convince thee that I am he whose power was placed at the
disposal of thy late master, Faust, and by means of which thou wast
transported, along with him, to every climate on the earth."

"I will name my wish," said Wagner.

"Speak!" cried the fiend.

"Show me the Lady Nisida as she now is," exclaimed Fernand, his heart
beating with the hope of beholding her whom he loved so devotedly; for,
with all the jealousy of a lover, was he anxious to convince himself
that she was thinking of him.

"Ah! 'tis the same as with Faust and his Theresa," murmured the demon to
himself; then aloud he said, "Rather ask me to show you the Lady Nisida
as she will appear four days hence."

"Be it so!" cried Wagner, moved by the mysterious warning those words
appeared to convey.

The demon extended his arm, and chanted in deep, sonorous tones, the
following incantation:

"Ye powers of darkness who obey