But the aperture had been a little enlarged by decay, and admitted a dim ray of light to its recesses, although it could not be observed by those who visited the place with torchlight aids.
"Here is dead silence," said Catharine, after she had listened attentively for a moment.

"Heaven and earth, he is gone!" "We must risk something," said her companion, and ran her fingers over the strings of her guitar.
A sigh was the only answer from the depth of the dungeon.

Catharine then ventured to speak.

"I am here, my lord--I am here, with food and drink." "Ha! Ramorny! The jest comes too late; I am dying," was the answer.
"His brain is turned, and no wonder," thought Catharine; "but whilst there is life, there may be hope." "It is I, my lord, Catharine Glover.

I have food, if I could pass it safely to you." "Heaven bless thee, maiden! I thought the pain was over, but it glows again within me at the name of food." "The food is here, but how--ah, how can I pass it to you?
the chink is so narrow, the wall is so thick! Yet there is a remedy--I have it.
Quick, Louise; cut me a willow bough, the tallest you can find." The glee maiden obeyed, and, by means of a cleft in the top of the wand, Catharine transmitted several morsels of the soft cakes, soaked in broth, which served at once for food and for drink.
The unfortunate young man ate little, and with difficulty, but prayed for a thousand blessings on the head of his comforter.