The Strangers seemed earnestly engaged in conversation.

They heard not Lorenzo's steps, and He approached unobserved, till He could hear their voices distinctly.
'I protest,' continued She who was speaking when He arrived, and to whom the rest were listening with great attention; 'I protest, that I saw them with my own eyes.

I flew down the steps; They pursued me, and I escaped falling into their hands with difficulty.

Had it not been for the Lamp, I should never have found you.' 'And what could bring them hither ?' said another in a trembling voice; 'Do you think that they were looking for us ?' 'God grant that my fears may be false,' rejoined the First; 'But I doubt they are Murderers! If they discover us, we are lost! As for me, my fate is certain: My affinity to the Prioress will be a sufficient crime to condemn me; and though till now these Vaults have afforded me a retreat.......' Here looking up, her eye fell upon Lorenzo, who had continued to approach softly.
'The Murderers!' She cried-- She started away from the Statue's Pedestal on which She had been seated, and attempted to escape by flight.

Her Companions at the same moment uttered a terrified scream, while Lorenzo arrested the Fugitive by the arm.