At last I found the book that had belonged to the monks with the whole of the prophecy written in the blank leaf.

This first success encouraged me to get back further yet in the family records.
I had discovered nothing hitherto of the identity of the mysterious portrait; but the same intuitive conviction which had assured me of its extraordinary resemblance to my Uncle Stephen seemed also to assure me that he must be more closely connected with the prophecy, and must know more of it than any one else.

I had no means of holding any communication with him, no means of satisfying myself whether this strange idea of mine were right or wrong, until the day when my doubts were settled forever by the same terrible proof which is now present to me in this very room." He paused for a moment, and looked at me intently and suspiciously; then asked if I believed all he had said to me so far.

My instant reply in the affirmative seemed to satisfy his doubts, and he went on.
"On a fine evening in February I was standing alone in one of the deserted rooms of the western turret at the Abbey, looking at the sunset.

Just before the sun went down I felt a sensation stealing over me which it is impossible to explain.