must take you to another grotto. You cannot occupy mine to-night,"
said the girl, with evident reluctance.

"But, oh! why, why may I not stay with you? I am afraid to sleep alone
in this terrible place!" pleaded Sybil.

"I have a reason, but I cannot tell it to you now. Yes, I will, too! I
will tell you at all risks! Then it is this: My chamber is no longer
safe for you! I myself am not strong enough to protect you! You might be
carried off forcibly from my side! I must hide you where no devil may
find you to-night!" whispered the girl.

"My blood curdles! Oh, help me if you can!" cried Sybil.

"I cannot help you! I can only hide you! I could perhaps save you from
insult by sober men; but who shall save you from maniacs, mad with
drink?"

"Yet you have always saved yourself! How have you managed to do so?"

"I have grown up among them, their child! That makes all the
difference!"

"Oh, Heaven help me! Would I were dead!" cried Sybil, in an agony of
terror.

"Oh, bosh! that's the cry of weakness! I've seen some hard times, but I
never wished myself dead yet!" said the girl, as she led her guest
through a labyrinth of small caverns until she reached one smaller and
more remote than the others.

"Oh, do not leave me here alone!" pleaded Sybil. "If I must stay, stay
with me! I do not fear death; but oh! I fear these men! Do not leave
me!"

"I must, for your own safety. They must not miss me, or their suspicions
will be aroused."

Then pointing to a bed of moss, and recommending her guest to lie down
and seek repose, Gentiliska glided away through the labyrinth of caves
and was lost to sight and hearing.

Sybil's first impulse was to start up and run after her hostess, but she
restrained herself, and sank half fainting upon the heap of moss.

There was but a faint sparkling of light in the cave, coming from a
crevice in the roof through which the moonlight entered, and glancing
down, struck here and there upon the stalactites on the walls.

"Seek repose," had been the advice of Gentiliska.

Sybil dared not seek it if she could, and could not have found it if she
had. She lay there with her eyes wide open, staring towards the entrance
of the cavern, as if she feared the sudden apparition of some horrid
shape. She lay there with every nerve strung up to the severest tension,
and every faculty of mind and body on the alert. She scarcely breathed,
but lay motionless, and watched and listened intently. Hour af