CHAPTER VI .-- TETER ET FORTIS CARCER.
Left alone, and unable to pray, the abbot strove to dissipate his agitation of spirit by walking to and fro within his chamber; and while thus occupied, he was interrupted by a guard, who told him that the priest sent by the Earl of Derby was without, and immediately afterwards the confessor was ushered in.

It was the tall monk, who had been standing between the biers, and his features were still shrouded by his cowl.

At sight of him, Paslew sank upon a seat and buried his face in his hands.

The monk offered him no consolation, but waited in silence till he should again look up.

At last Paslew took courage and spoke.
"Who, and what are you ?" he demanded.
"A brother of the same order as yourself," replied the monk, in deep and thrilling accents, but without raising his hood; "and I am come to hear your confession by command of the Earl of Derby." "Are you of this abbey ?" asked Paslew, tremblingly.
"I was," replied the monk, in a stern tone; "but the monastery is dissolved, and all the brethren ejected." "Your name ?" cried Paslew.
"I am not come here to answer questions, but to hear a confession," rejoined the monk.