He stood there looking idly upon the darkening prospect, until the appearance of two persons riding rapidly along the main road to the castle, aroused his attention.

He followed them eagerly with his eyes until they were completely lost in the twilight.

One of the riders was evidently a woman; but it would be inquiring too minutely into Gilbert's thoughts to determine whether that circumstance, or the proneness of youth to become interested in trifles, excited his curiosity.
Night was fast approaching, and a light from the altar made itself felt throughout the church.

Still the priest knelt before the sacred tabernacle, and Gilbert longed for his appearance.

He grew impatient of being alone, when a companion was so near at hand; the place was strange, and there were no well-known objects to stand in the place of friends, supplying by the thousand associations they conjure up, and their mute appeals to memory, the absence of language.
The minutes wore heavily on; but at length the priest entered the sacristy.