"Mr.Catesby only left this morning, charged with a letter entreating you to set out without delay,--and now I behold you.

What has happened ?" Viviana then recounted the occurrences of the last few days.
"It is as I feared," replied Sir William, in a desponding tone.

"Our oppressors will never cease till they drive us to desperation!" "They will not!" rejoined a voice behind him.

"Well may we exclaim with the prophet--'How long, O Lord, shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear?
Shall I cry out to thee suffering violence, and thou wilt not save?
Why hast thou showed me iniquity and grievance, to see rapine and injustice before me?
Why lookest thou upon them that do unjust things, and holdest thy peace when the wicked devoureth the man that is more just than himself ?'" Viviana looked in the direction of the speaker and beheld a man in a priestly garb, whose countenance struck her forcibly.

He was rather under the middle height, of a slight spare figure, and in age might be about fifty.