h
assistance. Nothing was discernible, save a flight of rough unshapen
steps which sank into the yawning Gulph and were soon lost in darkness.
The groans were heard no more; But All believed them to have ascended
from this Cavern. As He bent over it, Lorenzo fancied that He
distinguished something bright twinkling through the gloom. He gazed
attentively upon the spot where it showed itself, and was convinced
that He saw a small spark of light, now visible, now disappearing. He
communicated this circumstance to the Nuns: They also perceived the
spark; But when He declared his intention to descend into the Cave,
they united to oppose his resolution. All their remonstrances could not
prevail on him to alter it. None of them had courage enough to
accompany him; neither could He think of depriving them of the Lamp.
Alone therefore, and in darkness, He prepared to pursue his design,
while the Nuns were contented to offer up prayers for his success and
safety.

The steps were so narrow and uneven, that to descend them was like
walking down the side of a precipice. The obscurity by which He was
surrounded rendered his footing insecure. He was obliged to proceed
with great caution, lest He should miss the steps and fall into the
Gulph below him. This He was several times on the point of doing.
However, He arrived sooner upon solid ground than He had expected: He
now found that the thick darkness and impenetrable mists which reigned
through the Cavern had deceived him into the belief of its being much
more profound than it proved upon inspection. He reached the foot of
the Stairs unhurt: He now stopped, and looked round for the spark
which had before caught his attention. He sought it in vain: All was
dark and gloomy. He listened for the groans; But his ear caught no
sound, except the distant murmur of the Nuns above, as in low voices
they repeated their Ave-Marias. He stood irresolute to which side He
should address his steps. At all events He determined to proceed: He
did so, but slowly, fearing lest instead of approaching, He should be
retiring from the object of his search. The groans seemed to announce
one in pain, or at least in sorrow, and He hoped to have the power of
relieving the Mourner's calamities. A plaintive tone, sounding at no
great distance, at length reached his hearing; He bent his course
joyfully towards it. It became more audible as He advanced; and He
soon beheld again the spark of light,