The story unfolds as follows:
* The Setting: The woman is at home alone on a stormy night, preparing for her wedding the next day. She is startled by a knock at the door.
* The Appearance of the Demon Lover: A tall, handsome stranger stands at the door, claiming to be her long-lost lover who promised to return for her on the eve of their wedding. He is dressed in military attire and appears to be a soldier.
* The Woman's Suspicions: Despite the man's convincing presence, the woman is troubled by something about him, perhaps a strange smell or the way he looks at her.
* The Journey: The man convinces the woman to leave with him, promising to take her to a beautiful place. She reluctantly agrees, but she remains uneasy.
* The Revelation: As they travel, the woman becomes increasingly terrified. She realizes that her supposed lover is not who he appears to be. He is actually a demon in disguise, intending to take her to hell.
* The Tragic Ending: The woman tries to escape but is unable to. She is taken to a dark and terrifying place, presumably hell, where her fate is sealed.
The poem leaves the woman's final fate open to interpretation, but the overall message is one of a chilling encounter with the supernatural and the consequences of trusting appearances. The poem's themes include love, betrayal, loss, and the dangers of blindly trusting strangers.
It is a classic example of a ballad, using a simple narrative structure, repetition, and vivid imagery to create a haunting and memorable story.