pon great emergencies, by any of the Stop Hole Abbey crew. It was a
sort of retiring den of our old lioness Barbara, and, like all
belonging to her, respected by her dupes. However, the cave is a good
cave for all that; is well concealed by brushwood, and comfortably
lighted from a crevice in the rock above; it lies near the brink of the
stream, amongst the woods just above the waterfall, and is somewhat
difficult of approach."

"I know something of the situation," said Turpin.

"Well," returned the count, "not to lose time, into this den I crept,
and, expecting to find it vacant, you may imagine my surprise on
discovering that it was already occupied, and that Sir Luke Rookwood,
his granddad, old Alan, Miss Mowbray, and, worst of all, the very person
I wished most to avoid, my old flame Handassah, constituted the party.
Fortunately, they did not perceive my entrance, and I took especial care
not to introduce myself. Retreat, however, was for the moment
impracticable, and I was compelled to be a listener. I cannot tell what
had passed between the parties before my arrival, but I heard Miss
Mowbray implore Sir Luke to conduct her to her mother. He seemed half
inclined to comply with her entreaties; but old Alan shook his head. It
was then Handassah put in a word; the minx was ever ready at that. 'Fear
not,' said she, 'that she will wed Sir Ranulph. Deliver her to her
friends, I beseech you, Sir Luke, and woo her honorably. She will accept
you.' Sir Luke stared incredulously, and grim old Alan smiled. 'She has
sworn to be yours,' continued Handassah; 'sworn it by every hope of
heaven, and the oath has been sealed by blood--by Sybil's blood.'--'Does
she speak the truth?' asked Sir Luke, trembling with agitation. Miss
Mowbray answered not. 'You will not deny it, lady,' said Handassah. 'I
heard that oath proposed. I saw it registered. You cannot deny it.'--'I
do not,' replied Miss Mowbray, with much anguish of manner; 'if he claim
me, I am his.'--'And he will claim you,' said Alan Rookwood,
triumphantly. 'He has your oath, no matter how extorted--you must fulfil
your vow.'--'I am prepared to do so,' said Eleanor. 'But if you would
not utterly destroy me, let this maid conduct me to my mother, to my
friends.'--'To Ranulph?' asked Sir Luke, bitterly.--'No, no,' returned
Miss Mowbray, in accents of deepest despair, 'to my mother--I wish not
to behold him again.'--'Be it so,' cried Sir Luke; 'but remember, in
love or hate, you