buttresses of the ancient
church, constituted no unimpressive picture. Over all, like a lamp hung
in the still sky, shone the moon, shedding a soothing, spiritual lustre
over the scene.

The organ broke into a solemn strain as the coffin was borne along the
mid-aisle--the mourners following, with reverent step, and slow. It was
deposited near the mouth of the vault, the whole assemblage circling
around it. Dr. Small proceeded with the performance of that magnificent
service appointed for the burial of the dead, in a tone as remarkable
for its sadness as for its force and fervor. There was a tear in every
eye--a cloud on every brow.

Brightly illumined as was the whole building, there were still some
recesses which, owing to the intervention of heavy pillars, were thrown
into shade; and in one of these, supported by her mother and brother,
stood Eleanor, a weeping witness of the scene. She beheld the coffin
silently borne along; she saw one dark figure slowly following; she knew
those pale features--oh, how pale they were! A year had wrought a
fearful alteration; she could scarce credit what she beheld. He must,
indeed, have suffered--deeply suffered; and her heart told her that his
sorrows had been for her.

Many a wistful look, besides, was directed to the principal figure in
this ceremonial, Ranulph Rookwood. He was a prey to unutterable anguish
of soul; his heart bled inwardly for the father he had lost.
Mechanically following the body down the aisle, he had taken his station
near it, gazing with confused vision upon the bystanders; had listened,
with a sad composure, to the expressive delivery of Small, until he
read--"_For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in
vain; he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them._"

"Verily!" exclaimed a deep voice; and Ranulph, looking round, met the
eyes of Peter Bradley fixed full upon him. But it was evidently not the
sexton who had spoken.

Small continued the service. He arrived at this verse: "_Thou hast set
our misdeeds before thee; and our secret sins in the light of thy
countenance._"

"Even so!" exclaimed the voice; and as Ranulph raised his eyes in the
direction of the sound, he thought he saw a dark figure, muffled in a
cloak, disappear behind one of the pillars. He bestowed, however, at the
moment, little thought upon this incident. His heart melted within him;
and leaning his face upon his hand, he wept aloud.

"Command yours