Page:Cross, or, The Spanish champion.pdf/20

18 debating upon their further tract, when a deep shade, which obscured part of the horizon, arresting their eyes, they observed a large building not far distant. Thither they instantly determined upon conducting her. As they approached it, the pale beams of the moon shone through its windows, deep chasms, and over its decayed battlements; adjoining to these, they beheld the rugged edges of roofless walls, all displaying the dire effects of destructive war.

When they arrived at the foot of these lofty ruins, which were situated upon an eminence, they cautiously surveyed them, and perceiving an entrance, with trepidation they ventured in, determined to rest themselves, and debate upon their future purposes.

In a gloomy apartment, which only admitted disjointed rays of the moon between the iron bars of a window at a great height from the floor, they determined to secure her; while they, resting themselves, guarded the entrance. Where, after having left her, they shut the door after them, and seating themselves on the ground, commenced their consultation. In the midst of their discourse, Perez, who was thoroughly fatigued, began to nod; and though Roderigo repeatedly shook him by the arm to keep up his attention, he at length fell backward in a profound sleep.

Roderigo, who was himself sufficiently tired, from having borne Seraphina so far in his arms, would have followed his companion's example, had not the thoughts of having her thus in his power raised in his breast a powerful opponent to Morpheus. A raging lust burned within him, and roused him to take advantage of her lonely situation; and he was the further prompted to this