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14 by all this remorse, her spirit was broken by her excessive grief, and she plunged headlong into the depths of despair -

EPH. Oh, what a pity!

AB. And as by now she had given up all hope of ever being able to earn pardon, she deliberately chose to re-enter the world and minister to its lusts.

EPH. Well, never before have the powers of darkness won such a victory over a hermit!

AB. Yes, we have fallen a prey to demons!

EPH. But what a curious thing that she should have been able to escape without your knowledge!

AB. Previously my thoughts had been disturbed by a nightmare which, had I not been blind, would have warned me of her approaching doom.

EPH. What nightmare? I should like to hear about it.

AB. I dreamed I was standing outside the door of my cell, when suddenly an enormous, foul-smelling snake darted forward at full speed, seized a little white dove that was perched by my side,