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"Hush!" replied he, as they approached the boat, to which the boatman had returned. "Hush! of that hereafter!"

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The boat cut its way swiftly through the still agitated waters, leaving a long foamy stream behind, to mark its onward path. The wind again favoured her voyage; and every moment the spires of the abbey grew upon the misty indistinctness of distance, till rising gradually above the ruffled waves, it towered in calm majesty, clear and defined. The effects of the storm were still visible upon the stream, the lake, the valley, and the mountain; while the grey abbey remained plain and unmoved, like truth, which, though distance may obscure, no tempest can alter, no blast destroy.

He remained with the young stranger in the porch, and she entered alone; crossing her brow with the consecrated water, she proceeded with a slow and reverent step D 2

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over the curious mosaic that paved the immense nave, and approaching the shrine, kneeled to offer her prayers to that being on whose pity and justice she relied.

Her

prayers were of the heart, and though her tongue did not venture them upon the solemn silence of the place, they were as pure and as sincere as the most loudtongued oratory could deliver. She fancied that a voice near her whisperedShe looked up, but

"Thou art heard!" She looked

there was no one there. One bright sunbeam stealing through the high-arched window fell upon her as she kneeled; and had any one beheld, they might have deemed that form, so fair, so light, illuminated by a radiance that seemed peculiarly its own, they might have deemed her the angel of mercy, pleading for the penitent.

Her heart was lightened; she felt confident of aid and protection, and quitting the shrine, she joined those she had left without." Now, father," said she, turn

ing to Cuthbert, "tell me how I ought to act; for by your direction, and yours alone, shall be determined my conduct," and she was about to detail all that had occurred on the preceeding night; but the wizard priest raised his hand, as desiring silence." It needs not, Flora," replied he, "to tell me what I know already; not a word, not an action of all that you would recite, that is not as well known to me as the thoughts of my own breast. But tell me, daughter, can you act with firmness? can you summon resolution to do my bidding, even though it seem contrary to all that you expect, and to all that you desire ?"

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I can," replied Flora, supported by you, and protected by Heaven; and my courage will be equal to any undertaking."

"Well, then," said the priest, "mark me, and remember the very words I use; say you neither less nor more. When you return, your father will ask whether you are determined; reply- If such, sir,

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is your will, this night I will give my hand to Edwin.”

"But" exclaimed Flora.
"Listen!" said the priest;

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swer till you have heard. Say what I have told you; but demand that the ceremony shall be performed by one that you shall name. Let that be me, and after that, wonder not at any thing I may do. You know my power; you know my wish to serve you: doubt not that it shall be exerted."

"Father, you shall be obeyed," replied Flora; " though my heart may shake with fear, every word of your bidding shall be done."

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"Fear not,” replied the priest, “ I will guide thee right. Lady, thy boat must bear thee back alone. You, my son, be my companion.-Fare thee well, Flora, my blessing is upon thee!"

The boat soon left St. Mary's a fading speck behind; and Flora's eye in vain searched for the wizard and his companion

on

on the shore. Nor was her heart at ease, while every moment brought her nearer the spot that was soon to witness the greatest trial of her fortitude.

CHAPTER V.

He was sitting on a rude fragment of rock, rolled near the entrance of the cavern; his snowy beard fell in reverend waves to his girdle, while his eyes fixed steadfastly on the book, and his hand rested on a skull.

The attendants of lord Hubert paused, while the baron advanced alone towards the seat of the recluse. The coming step called the priest's attention, and he fixed a glance of stern regard upon the person who approached him.

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Father," said lord Hubert," this day is my son to be united to the mistress of his heart; but it is the wish of the lady that you, so famed for your sanctity, should

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