e the voice of some invisible spirit, subduing
with its mysterious speech every power and faculty, with an authority
superior to all human control.

The traveller hastened on. The pinnacles and stately turrets of the
priory were just visible through the arched boughs, when, turning into a
more sequestered path, he observed a female of a wild and uncouth aspect
standing in the way. She showed no disposition to move as he approached,
nor did she seem to notice his presence. He stopped, but sufficiently
near to distinguish the motion of her lips. An unintelligible mutter
accompanied it. She looked darkly towards the south, beckoning to the
coming thunder, and pointing, as though she would guide its course,
towards the grey walls of the priory.

She was dressed in a dark-coloured corset fitting close to the body, and
a hood of the same materials. Her hair was a deep jet, and fantastically
twisted about her face. She was of low stature, but not bowed by
decrepitude or age. Her cheek was hollow, and her complexion swarthy,
but her eye grew unnaturally bright, blazing out with a fierceness,
intense as though the fire within were visible through these chinks and
crevices of the soul's tenement.

Though the storm was rapidly approaching she still kept her place,
unawed by the rude elements, and seeming to surfer but little
inconvenience from the shower, now descending with great vigour. The
path was narrow, and a thick underwood skirted the road, so that for the
stranger to pass was impossible, unless his opponent chose to take up a
more favourable position. But the sudden burst of a terrific
thunder-clap, which seemed to roll in a continuous peal above them, made
him less ceremonious on this head than the laws of gallantry might
warrant. He drew nearer to the female, with the intention of seeking a
passage on that side where the least disturbance would be given.

"Go not. 'Tis accursed!" said she, as if preparing to dispute the
attempt.

"I am a stranger, and hastening for shelter. In troth, 'tis a narrow
goit that will not let a drowning man through. Prythee, dame, let me
not, in some wise, seem uncourteous. Yet"----

Here he attempted to pass; but she seized him, and with so powerful a
grasp that for a moment his intention was foiled, so sudden and
unexpected was the attack. Though of a stout and muscular shape, yet
was he holden tightly, as if she were exulting in her strength. Either
malice or madness had given her a