The minute Vicki leaves Nicholas after refusing his request even merely to borrow the painting, we can see the displeasure in his face. As she heads upstairs, the unsuspecting Vicki hears the rumble of thunder.
Next, Nicholas queries Roger and immediately becomes interested when Roger mentions Vicki's trip to 1795--and the details of Trask's exorcism of her. Roger's answers are rather vague, but that won't stop Nick. Having gotten all he can out of Roger, Nicholas sends him off to bed. He sits by the fire (perhaps a reminder of home helps him to think) to ruminate on what he’s learned: Trask exorcised Angelique in the same place where he exorcised Vicki Winters. Vicki Winters knows where the tree is, and she will lead me there. I will perform the ceremony, and the ashes of Angelique will return to human form. This is the key I needed to find you, Angelique. Victoria Winters is the key! Upstairs, Vicki slumbers on, but not for long.
Nicholas puts Vicki into a trance and forces her to relive the exorcism, which proves to be almost as traumatic as the actual event. Finally he sends her back to the house. After Vicki leaves, as Nicholas faces the tree and raises his hands in a gesture of command, someone runs across a corner of the scene. Nicholas says the requisite words, and commands Angelique, Return! Return! Return! His efforts are rewarded as lightning flashes and once again we hear the unearthly screams of the damned.
Oh, yes--Jeff finally realizes that he IS Peter Bradford, after all.
