Angelina: Or, The Mystery of St. Mark's Abbey — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

204 ANGELINA $ OR, one whose lawless avocation should have made me suspicious of him ?-—Kate of the Ruins, too, her who pretended to be my friend, and that of Angelina, -and seemed to take such pains to warn Cliffurd and her against encouraging a passion for one another ;—she mast have been aware of the whole eitcum- stance, and, being in colleague with the smuggles captain, bas acted the -hypo- critical part for the purpose of giving him a better opportunity of putting his designs into execution. Ah! I see it all now ;—I[ have been basely, cruelly deceived, end my unfortuffate Angelina has fallen a victim to the deep-letd scheme which has been so long formed to trepan her. If it is as my fears suggest, may the curse of the Almighty descend upon the heads of those who have deceived ine. But I will instantly to the Abbey, and, having sought an interview of Kate, demand a fall explanation of the truth. If my suspicions are verified, [ will not rest until I have had ample retribution upon the heads of those who have done me so irreparable an injury !”’ As he thus spoke, his bosom swelled with agitation, and he quickened his pace towards the Abbey of Saint Mark’s, so strong was this impression upon bis mind, and eo eager was he to have a thorough explanation of the whole a fair. The shades of evening had fallen upon the earth, by the time Mr. Woodfield had quitted De Morton Castle ; but, nevertheless, so impatient was he to have his ideas confirmed or dissipated, that he was determined not to postpone his visit till the morning. He soon reached the Abbey, and, having ascended the rock on which it stood, he paused a few moments,and gazed down upon the deep blue waters of the ocean, upon which the moonbeams were shining brightly. The water was scarcely disturbed by a single ripple, and all around was as silent as death. Suddenly, however, Mr. Woodfield observed a white speck upon the distant horizon, which gradually expanded, until he ceuld clearly perceive that it was the sails of a vessel. Mr. Woodfield watched it narrowly as it skimmed lightly over the ocean, and was evidently bearing down upon the rock on which.the ruins of Saint Mark’s Abbey stood. ‘*‘ It must be the smuggler’s vessel,” thought Mr. Woodfield, and a hope sprang up in his bosom that he should learn something of Hugh Clifford, and likewise how far his surmises as regarded Angelina were correct. He was soon con- vinced that he was right, for the vessel shet in immediately beneath the rock, and close to the seciet entrance to the smugglers’ retreat, and, eager to have his mind set at rest, he descended the rock, and reached the mouth of the cavern just as some of the smugglers came ashore. He would have been seized upon immediately, and, no doubt, roughly handled, had not Ned Stukely, as Kate had called him upon a former occasion, happened te be there, and soon afterwards Kate of the Ruins made her appearance. ‘¢ Where is the villain?—-Where is Hugh Clifford?’ demanded Mr. Wood- ficld impatiently, unable to subdue his feelings. ‘* That am I as much at a logs to imagine as yourself,” was the reply of Kate. ‘¢'Tis false!” exclaimed Mr. Woodfield, with much emotion, ‘Saou would deceive me; he bas acted the part ofa villain !” ‘How, Mr. Woodfield ?” said Kate, sharply, ‘* be not tao hasty ia forming your conclusions ; the name of Hugh Clifford and that of villain should never be associated.” COMIC OOOKS. EO