mad if we remain here
much longer. I have a frightful feeling urging me--almost beyond my
powers of resistance--to fling myself forward over the edge of that
dreadful chasm which is yawning to receive me. Oh! save me, Lance
darling, save me for pity's sake."

"I _will_ save you, dear, if it is in man's power to do so," answered
Lance, "but you must help me by keeping up your courage; you know I
cannot possibly think and reason calmly whilst you continue in this
deplorable state of nervousness. Now, I will light another paper--our
last--and we will move forward at once. Keep close to the wall, and be
ready to give me your right hand as soon as the light shines out."

Another moment, and a feeble glimmer once more illumined the Cimmerian
darkness.

Holding the light in his right hand, Lance gave his left to Blanche, and
they cautiously resumed their way. The ledge along which they were
passing was about six feet wide; but a yard or two further on it
narrowed abruptly, leaving a path barely twelve inches in breadth. It
continued thus for a length of some twenty feet, and then widened out
abruptly again, apparently to the full width of the passage. It seemed,
in short, as though the terrible chasm terminated at this point.

Luckily, Lance was the first to see it, and his resolution was at once
taken. He dropped the lighted paper as if by accident, and extinguished
it by setting his foot upon it. He knew that if his companion caught so
much as a single momentary glimpse of the short but frightfully perilous
passage she would have to make, her nerve would utterly fail her, and
too probably a dreadful catastrophe would happen. So he resolved upon
the hazardous attempt to get her past the danger blindfold.

"Tut! what a clumsy fellow I am!" he exclaimed pettishly, as though in
reference to his having dropped the lighted paper. "Now I shall have to
expend another match. But, Blanche, your nerves are still unsteady; the
sight of this threatening gulf is too much for you. I think you would
do better blindfold. Give me your handkerchief, dear, and let me tie it
over your eyes. I will remove it again as soon as we are past the
chasm."

"Thank you," said Blanche. "I really believe I _should_ feel better if
the sight of that dreadful place were shut out. I can trust to your
care and courage; but I confess with shame that, as far as I am
concerned, I am thoroughly unnerved."

Lance took the handkerchief which