Page:The Italian - Radcliffe, volume 1 (1797).djvu/202

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glides thus away from my eye, and fades, as if into air, at my approach! He is repeatedly in my presence, yet is nev­er to be found!"

"It is most true, Signor," said Paulo, "that he is never to be found, and therefore let me entreat you to give up the pursuit. This place is enough to make one believe in the horrors of purgatory! Let us go, Signor."

"What but spirit could have quitted this vault so mysteriously," continued Vivaldi, not attending to Paulo; "what but spirit!"———

"I would fain prove," said the servant, "that sub­stance can quit it as easily; I would fain evaporate through that door myself."

He had scarcely spoken the words, when the door closed, with a thundering clap that echoed through all the vaults; and Vivaldi and Paulo stood for a mo­ment aghast! and then both hastened to open it, and to leave the place. Their consternationmay

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