"A wild phantasmagoria of unmixed and unaccountable evil." - "North American Review"

Preparations are underway in the Swedish village of Hammarby for the reception of Rudolph Seiler, the young Norwegian architect who is coming to build the new church. But when Alfhild, the provost's daughter, accidentally shatters an antique goblet with a mysterious history, it seems to be an omen of future misfortune....

Seiler arrives and quickly inspires love in two women: Alfhild and Thelma, the fiancee of the insane and deformed Count Albano. But all is not what it seems. Behind his polished and...