"Now, indeed, our case seems hopeless," whispered Katherine, as they stood, concealed by the darkness, in one end of an extremely long, narrow passage; "here is the sentinel in the building, instead of being, as I had supposed, under the windows; what is to be done now?"
"Let us return," said Cecilia, in the same manner; "my influence with my uncle is great, even though he seems unkind to us at times. In the morning I will use it to persuade him to free them, on receiving their promise to abandon all such attempts in future."
"In the morning it will be too late," returned Katherine; "I saw that demon, Kit Dillon, mount his horse, under the pretence of riding to the great hunt of to-morrow, but I know his malicious eye too well to be deceived in his errand. He is silent that he may be sure; and if to-morrow comes, and finds Griffith within these walls, he will be condemned to a scaffold."
"Say no more," said Alice Dunscombe, with singular emotion; "some lucky circumstance may aid us with this sentinel."
As she spoke, she advanced: they had not proceeded far, before the stern voice of the soldier challenged the party.
"'Tis no time to hesitate," whispered Katherine: "we are the ladies of the abbey, looking to our domestic affairs," she continued aloud, "and think it a little remarkable that we are to encounter armed men, while going through our own dwelling."
The soldier respectfully presented his musket, and replied:
"My orders are to guard the doors of these three rooms, ladies; we have prisoners in them, and as for anything else, my duty will be to serve you all in my power."
"Prisoners!" exclaimed Katherine, in affected surprise; "does Captain Borroughcliffe make St. Ruth's Abbey a jail! Of what offences are the poor men guilty?"
"I know not, my lady; but, as they are sailors, I suppose they have run from his majesty's service."
"This is singular, truly! and why are they not sent to the county prison?"
"This must be examined into," said Cecilia, dropping the mantle from before her face. "As mistress of this house, I claim a right to know whom its walls contain; you will oblige me by opening the doors, for I see you have the keys suspended from your belt."
The sentinel hesitated. He was greatly awed by the presence and beauty of the speakers, but a still voice reminded him of his duty. A lucky thought, however, interposed to relieve him from his dilemma, and at the same time to comply with the request, or rather order, of the lady. As he handed her the keys, he said: