Near an hour had elapsed, since Matilda descended into the
Caverns; Still She returned not. Ambrosio's curiosity was
excited. He drew near the Staircase. He listened. All was
silent, except that at intervals He caught the sound of Matilda's
voice, as it wound along the subteraneous passages, and was
re-echoed by the Sepulchre's vaulted roofs. She was at too great
a distance for him to distinguish her words, and ere they reached
him they were deadened into a low murmur. He longed to penetrate
into this mystery. He resolved to disobey her injunctions and
follow her into the Cavern. He advanced to the Staircase; He
had already descended some steps when his courage failed him.
He remembered Matilda's menaces if He infringed her orders, and
his bosom was filled with a secret unaccountable awe. He
returned up the stairs, resumed his former station, and waited
impatiently for the conclusion of this adventure.
Suddenly He was sensible of a violent shock: An earthquake
rocked the ground. The Columns which supported the roof under
which He stood were so strongly shaken, that every moment
menaced him with its fall, and at the same moment He heard a loud
and tremendous burst of thunder. It ceased, and his eyes being
fixed upon the Staircase, He saw a bright column of light flash
along the Caverns beneath. It was seen but for an instant. No
sooner did it disappear, than all was once more quiet and
obscure. Profound Darkness again surrounded him, and the silence
of night was only broken by the whirring Bat, as She flitted
slowly by him.
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