s
upon these moments. Have you the Key?'

'I have.'

'Away then to the garden. We have no time to lose. Follow me!'

She took a small covered Basket from the Table. Bearing this in one
hand, and the Lamp, which was flaming upon the Hearth, in the other,
She hastened from the Cell. Ambrosio followed her. Both maintained a
profound silence. She moved on with quick but cautious steps, passed
through the Cloisters, and reached the Western side of the Garden. Her
eyes flashed with a fire and wildness which impressed the Monk at once
with awe and horror. A determined desperate courage reigned upon her
brow. She gave the Lamp to Ambrosio; Then taking from him the Key, She
unlocked the low Door, and entered the Cemetery. It was a vast and
spacious Square planted with yew trees: Half of it belonged to the
Abbey; The other half was the property of the Sisterhood of St. Clare,
and was protected by a roof of Stone. The Division was marked by an
iron railing, the wicket of which was generally left unlocked.

Thither Matilda bent her course. She opened the wicket and sought for
the door leading to the subterraneous Vaults, where reposed the
mouldering Bodies of the Votaries of St. Clare. The night was
perfectly dark; Neither Moon or Stars were visible. Luckily there was
not a breath of Wind, and the Friar bore his Lamp in full security: By
the assistance of its beams, the door of the Sepulchre was soon
discovered. It was sunk within the hollow of a wall, and almost
concealed by thick festoons of ivy hanging over it. Three steps of
rough-hewn Stone conducted to it, and Matilda was on the point of
descending them when She suddenly started back.

'There are People in the Vaults!' She whispered to the Monk; 'Conceal
yourself till they are past.

She took refuge behind a lofty and magnificent Tomb, erected in honour
of the Convent's Foundress. Ambrosio followed her example, carefully
hiding his Lamp lest its beams should betray them. But a few moments
had elapsed when the Door was pushed open leading to the subterraneous
Caverns. Rays of light proceeded up the Staircase: They enabled the
concealed Spectators to observe two Females drest in religious habits,
who seemed engaged in earnest conversation. The Abbot had no
difficulty to recognize the Prioress of St. Clare in the first, and one
of the elder Nuns in her Companion.

'Every thing is prepared,' said the Prioress; 'Her fate shall be
decided tomorrow. All