In any other situation, this circumstance would only have excited his attention and curiosity: In the present, his predominant sensation was that of terror.

His imagination totally engrossed by the ideas of sorcery and Spirits, He fancied that some unquiet Ghost was wandering near him; or else that Matilda had fallen a Victim to her presumption, and was perishing under the cruel fangs of the Daemons.

The noise seemed not to approach, but continued to be heard at intervals.

Sometimes it became more audible, doubtless as the sufferings of the person who uttered the groans became more acute and insupportable.

Ambrosio now and then thought that He could distinguish accents; and once in particular He was almost convinced that He heard a faint voice exclaim, 'God! Oh! God! No hope! No succour!' Yet deeper groans followed these words.