Angelina: Or, The Mystery of St. Mark's Abbey — page 144: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MYSTERY OF ST, MARK’S ABBEY. 731 “ Beware, maiden—beware, I say,” ejaculated Kate, in solemn accents, “ you little deem the danger you run by disobedience; your own life, and the lives of those who are dear to you, depend upon your doing as I desire. Attend me without any further hesitation.” Again, fearful of refusing to do as Kate bade her, Angelina fol!owed her beneath the low archway, trembling with apprehension as to what wo.ld be the result of this singular adventure. To her horror, she now found herself in the interior of a cemctry, and on either side were piled coffins, while on the damp stone pavement, were to be seen several ghastly relics of the dead, such as human hones, skulls, &c. The rays that issued from the lamp which Kate carried, only rendered these awful objects partially visible;—but Angelina saw stiflicient to make her terrors increase, especially when Kate, grasping . rather forcibly hold of her arm, pulled her towards one of the piles of coffins, and after looking at her with a piercing glance, for a short interval, ex- claimed :—~ “So, girl, after the caution you received from me, after the solemn assur- ance I gave you that your love was forbidden by the laws of natare, and your declaration to me that you looked upon Hugh Clifford with no other senti- ment than friendship, you have rashly encouraged a passion, which has_ gained such strength io your bosom, that nothing will be able to eradicate it ?”’ Angelina, unable to return any answer, buried her face io her hands, and subbed with emotion. “It is useless for you to attempt to deny it,’ continued Kate, “ your looks, your words sufficiently prove it. Oh, maiden, you cannot have any conception of the misery this unfortunate passion, if encouraged, will entail wpon you and yours. Be warned in time, and here, in this awful place, the abode of the dead, register an oath that you will never encourage the vows of Hugh Clifford, and that you will endeavour by every means in your power, to erase him from your memory !—Do not hesitate ;—here, over the ashes of those whose souls are now in heaven, swear the oath I will administer to you !”” The agitation of our heroine at the earnestness and energy of the woman’s manner, and the dismal place to which she had conducted her, was almost more than she could support; bat as Kate pointed to the coffin, upon the lid of which a ghastly skull and cross-bones were placed, and repeated her de- mand, fresh resolution seemed to take possession of her soul, and in a firmer tone than she had hitherto spoken, she ejaculated :-— ‘‘ My heart revolts at the idea of an oath administered under such awful, such unnatural circumstances, 1 will not take it unless you explain to me who you are, and by what authority you seek to extort it from me P”’ ‘‘ By the authority, girl, ef those who gave thee being, and whose spirits are now watching over us;” answered Kate, in deep, solemn accents, at the same time fixing her expressive eyes yet more stedfastly upon the coun- tenance of our heroine.—‘* Oh, pause before you refuse to do my bidding ; remain obstinate, and disgrace, sorrow, and every care will be yours, and that of those under whose protection you are; my curse, and the curse of the dead will also fall upon your head, and all the horrors=——” ‘S Oh, forbear! forbear!’’ cried the distracted girl, shuddering at the thoughts of what Kate was describing, and her limbs trembled convulsively. Take the oath !’? exclaimed at that instant a hollow, sépulchural voice, COMM @ OO SS (CO)