This chapter is set in a region called "the canyons of despair" . It is near the border of the two provinces of Cydonia and Xante, and it is described as a region of "crescents" in all directions. In this chapter, we are introduced to the "castle of evil" , which is located in the "canyons of despair." The narrator tells us that this is a place of "creativity" and "despair." He describes it as a "man hideout" and a "mobile castle." We learn that the man in the castle is not well, and that he plans to "educate" his daughter in "the philosophy of evil." He tells her that she will learn all of the techniques of "malice and wrongdoing," and he will burn her, too. He also reveals that he has brought lunch for him, and he is surprised to find that a little "doll" has been strolling through the castle. The narrator explains that the little doll is a "little dolly" who forgives the late report. He tells the man that he will soon see his daughter, and the man assures him that he is not afraid. The man then tells the woman that it is his "glorious collection" of statues, which he has frozen in a state of "crystallization." He then tells her to hold out her hand, an anti-dote pill, to cure him of his poison. He says that if she does not take the pill, he will kill her. She tells him that she was afraid to die, but now that she has taken the pill she will not laugh at him. She says that they will get rid of the man and escape the castle together