Having taken the precaution to remove the ladder, he hastened onwards for about fifty yards, when he came to a steep flight of stone steps, distinguishable by a feeble glimmer of light from above, and mounting them, emerged through an open trap-door into a small building situated at the western side of the moat, where, to his surprise and disappointment, he found the other fugitives.
"How comes it you are here ?" he exclaimed, in a reproachful tone.

"I kept the wolves at bay thus long, to enable you to make good your retreat." "Miss Radcliffe is too weak to move," replied Humphrey Chetham; "and I could not persuade Father Oldcorne to leave her." "I care not what becomes of me," said the priest.

"The sooner my painful race is run the better.

But I cannot--will not abandon my dear charge thus." "Think not of me, father, I implore you," rejoined Viviana, who had sunk overpowered with terror and exhaustion.

"I shall be better soon.