"
Murray stopped. "Have you courage to remain in this darkness alone?
If so, I will seek him, and he shall accompany us."
Helen had courage for anything but the dangers Murray might encounter
by returning into the castle; but the generous youth had entered too
fully into her apprehensions concerning the old man to be withheld.
"Should I be delayed in coming back," said he, recollecting the
possibility of himself being attacked and slain, "go forward to the end
of this passage; it will lead you to a flight of stairs; ascend them;
and by drawing the bolt of a door, you will find yourself at once in
the prior's cell."
"Talk not of delay," replied Helen; "return quickly, and I will await
you at the entrance of the passage." So saying, she swiftly retraced
with him her steps to the bottom of the stone stairs by which they had
descended. He raised the flag, sprung out of the aperture, and closing
it down, left her in solitude and darkness.
Murray passed through the first cellar, and was proceeding to the
second (among the catacombs of which lay the concealed entrance to the
private stairs), when he saw the great gates of the cellar open, and a
large party of English soldiers enter.
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