ronged in; But their numbers clogging up the doorway, and the
fire gaining upon them rapidly, many of them perished ere they had time
to effect their escape. Lorenzo's good fortune directed him to a small
door in a farther Aisle of the Chapel. The bolt was already undrawn:
He opened the door, and found himself at the foot of St. Clare's
Sepulchre.

Here He stopped to breathe. The Duke and some of his Attendants had
followed him, and thus were in security for the present. They now
consulted, what steps they should take to escape from this scene of
disturbance: But their deliberations were considerably interrupted by
the sight of volumes of fire rising from amidst the Convent's massy
walls, by the noise of some heavy Arch tumbling down in ruins, or by
the mingled shrieks of the Nuns and Rioters, either suffocating in the
press, perishing in the flames, or crushed beneath the weight of the
falling Mansion.

Lorenzo enquired, whither the Wicket led? He was answered, to the
Garden of the Capuchins, and it was resolved to explore an outlet upon
that side. Accordingly the Duke raised the Latch, and passed into the
adjoining Cemetery. The Attendants followed without ceremony.
Lorenzo, being the last, was also on the point of quitting the
Colonnade, when He saw the door of the Sepulchre opened softly.
Someone looked out, but on perceiving Strangers uttered a loud shriek,
started back again, and flew down the marble Stairs.

'What can this mean?' cried Lorenzo; 'Here is some mystery concealed.
Follow me without delay!'

Thus saying, He hastened into the Sepulchre, and pursued the person who
continued to fly before him. The Duke knew not the cause of his
exclamation, but supposing that He had good reasons for it, he followed
him without hesitation. The Others did the same, and the whole Party
soon arrived at the foot of the Stairs.

The upper door having been left open, the neighbouring flames darted
from above a sufficient light to enable Lorenzo's catching a glance of
the Fugitive running through the long passages and distant Vaults: But
when a sudden turn deprived him of this assistance, total darkness
succeeded, and He could only trace the object of his enquiry by the
faint echo of retiring feet. The Pursuers were now compelled to
proceed with caution: As well as they could judge, the Fugitive also
seemed to slacken pace, for they heard the steps follow each other at
longer intervals. They at length were bewi