Every fearful story, which she had heard of the grotto and other caves of the mountain, now recurred to her memory, and she almost feared the spectres they described would start to her view; for of a human creature being in the grotto at an hour of darkness, such as the present, she had not an idea, from the dread she knew entertained of it. She was hastening away as fast as her trembling limbs could carry her, when the sound of an approaching step took from her all power of motion, and she sunk to the earth in an agony of fear; almost instantly, however, she was snatched from it, while a voice to which her heart vibrated, the soft the tremulous voice of de Sevignie, assured her of her safely.
"Madeline! (he exclaimed, while he prest her to his throbbing heart) my Madeline! can you forgive the terror I involuntary caused you."
"Good heaven! (said Madeline, raising her head from his shoulder) do I really behold, (as if doubting the evidence of her
