The wall of the ruin was covered with innumerable creepers and wild brushwood, and it required but little agility on the part of Montreal, by the help of these, to raise himself to the height of the aperture, and, concealed by the luxuriant foliage, to gaze within.

He saw a table, lighted with tapers, in the centre of which was a crucifix; a dagger, unsheathed; an open scroll, which the event proved to be of sacred character; and a brazen bowl.

About a hundred men, in cloaks, and with black vizards, stood motionless around; and one, taller than the rest, without disguise or mask--whose pale brow and stern features seemed by that light yet paler and yet more stern--appeared to be concluding some address to his companions.
"Yes," said he, "in the church of the Lateran I will make the last appeal to the people.

Supported by the Vicar of the Pope, myself an officer of the Pontiff, it will be seen that Religion and Liberty--the heroes and the martyrs--are united in one cause.

After that time, words are idle; action must begin.