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 subterraneous 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.