been dismantled before Nicholas knew it, but it was a source of
gratification to him to be so near so sacred a building, and at
eventide he would wander fondly about its walls and murmur his vespers
to himself.

Sir Everard paused before entering upon the solitude of his friend,
and would fain have rested his weary limbs on the mossy banks of
the slope, but remembering how nearly Father Philip was to death he
overruled his feelings, and, brushing through the ivy covering of the
doorway, he entered quietly into the sanctum of the hermit.

Nicholas was evidently deeply engaged in his devotions, for he was
kneeling before the little altar of his cell, and, catching somewhat
of the spirit of reverence, Everard paused upon the threshold, loth
to penetrate any further. The lamp gave but a fitful flickering light,
hut the devotee heeded not; and, by-and-bye, as the knight stood
spellbound, the wick sputtered in the oil, and making a final effort
the flame shot up for a moment with a brilliant glare and then died
slowly out, leaving nothing but a fragment of smouldering wick and a
sickly odour to attest its presence.

Crowleigh roused himself as it died away, and came to the resolution
that it was high time to announce his presence; and failing to
distinguish any signs to intimate that his friend's prayers were
nearing conclusion he advanced towards him.

He had scarcely moved a step when he started back with horror. There
was little enough light entered within this solitary abode, but yet
there was quite enough to enable him to see curled up together upon a
bed of leaves a number of snakes of different kinds. His first impulse
was to rush out and escape, but bethinking himself of the defenceless
position of his friend, he picked up a huge stone and let it fall upon
them.

Still Nicholas did not stir, and heedless of the badger, which
fiercely showed its teeth and looked as if it meditated an attack upon
him, Sir Everard strode softly up to his friend's side and tapped him
lightly on the shoulder.

"Nicholas," he exclaimed.

Nicholas returned no answer, and his friend stood dumbfounded. Surely
that pale face and that emaciated form could not belong to the once
sturdy companion, or--and he noticed that the eyes were closed; or
else--and he trembled at the bare idea--Nicholas Bury must be dead!

He put out his hand and shook it gently, and he was speedily rewarded
by seeing his friend open his eyes.

"Lie still, Leo,