thing. To obtain another sight of it, le invoked it to appear, by every mode of address he conceived likely to have any influence over such beings. He called to it, in soft, and low, and humble, and also in loud, vehement, and angry terms; but no answer was returned; all he heard . was the echo of his own voice sounded in the cavern, and returning, and then dying away in the dreadful distance.

"Alas!" said he, "this was then one of those malicious spirits that are allowed. to torment the presumptuous; and I have been presumptuous in awaiting this anpearance, and in following its devilish lures. And I, for my punishment, must sit a prisoner in this horrible dungeon. But, let me not despair. The door at the entrance is closed; but, surely, f may

open it below, as well as I opened it

above. Idle lamentations are useless and

unmanly. I will seek the door, and Heaven guide my steps, and aid my efforts!"

He then felt his way cautiously by the wall or side of the place, and after clambering over many obstacles, thought himself happy when he found what he concluded must be the steps by which he had entered. They were so, and he soon found the door; but it was immoveable to all his efforts, however directed. He wearied himself with his exertions, but all in vain at length, despairing of success, he seated himself upon the steps, thinking over all the hopeless miseries to which he was now exposed.

"And must I," said he, "die inglorious in this horrible den, lost to the world, and all means of serving my country and

my

my king? must my bones find no other tomb than the iron harness in which I am. accoutred; and no other grave than these steps, or the floor of the cavern below? unhappy man that I am! and death must be lingering and slow, and come with all the sufferings of famine, felt in these abodes of darkness. As yet, however, I fear not death; but, shall I always be thus bold? will not exhausted nature bring upon my mind languor, and horror, and fancied woe? Alas-alas! it may-it will! Oh, wretched Ormond! an Earl, noble and powerful, thou wert within these few hours; and now thou mayst envy the state of one of these in-sensible stones on which thou treadest. Be merciful, Heaven! assist me, saints and angels! But yet I will not yield till I am quite fallen: while I have strength, I will

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I

will use at least my voice, to pray to Heaven, and to call for deliverance. will explore this den too; and perhaps I may find access to a place where I may be heard nor shall any thing but utter inability terminate my efforts."

CHAP.

CHAP. II.

Then mass was sung, and prayers were said,

And solemn requiem for the dead;

And bells toll'd out their nightly peal

For the departed spirit's weal;

And ever in the office close,

The hymn of intercession rose.

SCOTT.

THE Baroness, anxious about the event of the Earl's watch, had slept little during the night, and arose at an early hour in the morning, eager to make enquiries. concerning him. She was surprised to find he had not yet quitted the chamber, though it was then long past the break of day.

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