reased. Lady Rookwood's bearing was as proud and erect
as we have formerly described it to have been--her brow was haughtily
bent--her chiselled lip as disdainfully curled; but the staring,
changeless eye, and the deep-heaved sob which occasionally escaped her,
betrayed how much she was under the influence of mortal terror. Alan
watched her in amazement. He knew not how the scene was likely to
terminate, nor what could have induced her to visit this ghostly spot at
such an hour, and alone; but he resolved to abide the issue in
silence--profound as her own. After a time, however, his impatience got
the better of his fears and scruples, and he spoke.

"What doth Lady Rookwood in the abode of the dead?" asked he, at length.

She started at the sound of his voice, but still kept her eye fixed upon
the vacancy.

"Hast thou not beckoned me hither, and am I not come?" returned she, in
a hollow tone. "And now thou asketh wherefore I am here--I am here
because, as in thy life I feared thee not, neither in death do I fear
thee. I am here because----"

"What seest thou?" interrupted Peter, with ill-suppressed terror.

"What see I--ha--ha!" shouted Lady Rookwood, amidst discordant laughter;
"that which might appal a heart less stout than mine--a figure
anguish-writhen, with veins that glow as with a subtle and consuming
flame. A substance yet a shadow, in thy living likeness. Ha--frown if
thou wilt; I can return thy glances."

"Where dost thou see this vision?" demanded Alan.

"Where!" echoed Lady Rookwood, becoming for the first time sensible of
the presence of a stranger. "Ha--who are you that question me?--what are
you?--speak!"

"No matter who or what I am," returned Alan, "I ask you what you
behold."

"Can you see nothing?"

"Nothing," replied Alan.

"You knew Sir Piers Rookwood?"

"Is it he?" asked Alan, drawing near her.

"It is," replied Lady Rookwood; "I have followed him hither, and I will
follow him whithersoever he leads me, were it to----"

"What doth he now?" asked Alan; "do you see him still?"

"The figure points to that sarcophagus," returned Lady Rookwood--"can
you raise up the lid?"

"No," replied Alan; "my strength will not avail to lift it."

"Yet let the trial be made," said Lady Rookwood; "the figure points
there still--my own arm shall aid you."

Alan watched her in dumb wonder. She advanced towards the marble
monument, and beckoned him to follow. He reluctantly complied. Without
any e