Page:The Italian - Radcliffe, volume 1 (1797).djvu/200

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fi­gure which had appeared on the stair-case, and that it was the monk himself. Reanimated by this belief, Vi­valdi's nerves were instantly rebraced, and he sprang to the door, which was unfastened, and yielded immedi­ately to his impetuous hand. "You shall not deceive me now," cried he, as he entered; "Paulo! keep guard at the door!"

He looked round the second vault, in which he now found himself, but no person appeared; he examined the place, and particularly the walls, without discover­ing any aperture, either of door or window, by which the figure could have quitted the chamber; a strongly-grated casement, placed near the roof, was all that admitted air, and probably light. Vivaldi was astonished! "Have you seen any thing pass?" said he to Paulo.

"Nothing, Maestro," replied the servant.

"This is almost incredible," exclaimed Vivaldi; "'tis certain, this form can be nothing human!"

"If

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