The Lancashire Witches: A Romance of Pendle Forest

it rings the knell of three souls to depart on the morrow. Brightly illumined is the fane, within which no taper hath gleamed since the old worship ceased, showing that preparations are made for

nceive themselves in peril from the share they have taken in the late insurrection, quit their secure retreats, and expose themselves to capture. It may be a snare laid for them, but they run the risk. Others, coming from a yet greater distance, beholding the illuminated church from afar, and catching the soun

and two according to their degrees. Near the entrance of the refectory, which occupies the whole south side of the quadrangle, stand a band of halberdiers, whose torches cast a ruddy glare on the opposite tower and buttresses of the convent church, revealing the statues not yet plucked from their niches, the crosses on the pinnacles, and the gilt image of Saint Gregory de Northbury, still holding its place over the porch. Another band

sion thrice tracks the four ambulatories of the c

ommanding the abbey, and as the solemn sounds float faintly by, and glimpses are caught of the white-robed brethren gliding along the cloisters, and rendered phantom-like by the torch

covered with palls, are borne slowly tow

te before their ancient superior,-he condemned to die, and they deprived of their monastic home,-and the officer had not the heart to interfere. Deeply affected, Paslew advanced to the prior, and raising him, affectionately embraced him. After this, he addressed some words of comf

onial was close at hand. The earl arose and went to the church attended by Braddyll and Assheton. He entered by the western porch, and, proceeding to the ch

but a clear space was left for the procession, which presently entered in the same order as before, and moved slowly along the transept. Those w

hren-the familiar aspect of the sacred edifice-all these filled him with emotions too painful almost for endurance. It was the last time he should visit this holy place-the last time he should hear those s

guard. Why were those tapers burning in the side chapel? What was within it? He looked again, and beheld two uncovered biers. On one lay the body of a woman. He started. In the bea

ered, but comforted himself that he was at least guiltless of his death; though

ised his hood, and partially disclosed features that smote the abbot as if he had beheld a spectre. Could it be? Could fancy cheat him thus? He looked again. The monk was still stand

ways deeply impressive, the service was unusually so on this sad occasion, and the melodious voices of the singers never sounded so mournfully

he found himself sub-deacon; the sub-deacon became deacon; and the deacon, sub-prior, and the end of his ambition seemed plain before him. But he had a rival; his fears told him a superior in zeal and learning: one who, though many years younger than he, had risen so rapidly in favour with the ecclesiastical authorities, that he threatened to outstrip him, even now, when the goal was full

e to bend his thoughts on other things. The choir was s

end? maj

ndos salv

, fons p

uent and severe acts of penance he had performed. But he now found that his penitence had never been sincere and efficacious. This one damning sin obscured all his good actions; and he felt

osa di

urget e

dus hom

go parc

esu D

eis r

And bowing his head to the

Jesu

is req

to ask for a confessor, and un

requiescant in pace"-awful words addressed to liv

altar to embrace and take leave of the abbot; and a

isfaction, John Paslew?" deman

think me not importunate, if I prefer one other request. I would fain have a confe

you. He shall attend you, within an hour, in your own chamber. You will have ample time betw

less a few short hours. But in regard to the confessor," he continued, filled with misgiving by the

rnly and decidedly. "You will find all

seeing that remons

arned John Lyndelay, fifth abbot; and beside him his immediate predecessor, Robert de Topcliffe, who, two hundred and thirty years ago, on the festival of Saint Gregory, our canonised abbot, commenced the erection of the sacred edifice above us. At that epoch were here enshrined the remains of the saintly Gregory, and

id the Ear

ting to the abbot's chair; "when I was head of this churc

anctity; loyal to their sovereigns, and true to their country, whereas you will die an attainted felon and rebel. You can have no plac

way, he gave the signal

ic skill, and then suddenly dismissed. Deep silence again brooded in the aisles; hushed was the organ; mute the melodious choir. The only light penetrating the convent church proceeded from the moon, whose rays,