he left cheek and upper lip, gave his large
features an aspect preternaturally hideous, called out to him--

"Come in, man--come in! Why stand you there amazed and dumb? We are
hospitable revellers, and give all men welcome. Here are wine and women.
My Lord Bishop's wine and my Lady Abbess's women!

"Sing hey, sing ho, for the royal DEATH, That scatters a host with
a single breath; That opens the prison to spoil the palace, And rids
honest necks from the hangman's malice. Here's a health to the Plague!
Let the mighty ones dread, The poor never lived till the wealthy were
dead. A health to the Plague! May She ever as now Loose the rogue
from his chain and the nun from her vow: To the gaoler a sword, to the
captive a key, Hurrah for Earth's Curse--'tis a Blessing to me!"

Ere this fearful stave was concluded, Adrian, sensible that in such
orgies there was no chance of prosecuting his inquiries, left the
desecrated chamber and fled, scarcely drawing breath, so great was the
terror that seized him, till he stood once more in the court amidst the
hot, sickly, stagnant sunlight, that seemed a fit atmosphere for the
scenes on which it fell. He resolved, however, not to desert the place
without making another effort at inquiry; and while he stood without the
court, musing and doubtful, he saw a small chapel hard by, through whose
long casement gleamed faintly, and dimmed by the noon-day, the light
of tapers. He turned towards its porch, entered, and saw beside the
sanctuary a single nun kneeling in prayer. In the narrow aisle, upon a
long table, (at either end of which burned the tall dismal tapers whose
rays had attracted him,) the drapery of several shrouds showed him the
half-distinct outline of human figures hushed in death. Adrian himself,
impressed by the sadness and sanctity of the place, and the touching
sight of that solitary and unselfish watcher of the dead, knelt down and
intensely prayed.

As he rose, somewhat relieved from the burthen at his heart, the nun
rose also, and started to perceive him.

"Unhappy man!" said she, in a voice which, low, faint, and solemn,
sounded as a ghost's--"what fatality brings thee hither? Seest thou not
thou art in the presence of clay which the Plague hath touched--thou
breathest the air which destroys! Hence! and search throughout all the
desolation for one spot where the Dark Visitor hath not come!"

"Holy maiden," answered Adrian, "the danger you hazard does not appal
me;--I