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 wrought their joyless offerings to the Great Spirit of the lovely world. To this desolate spot, called from the name of its once-celebrated eremite, St. Robert's Cave, the crowd now swept, increasing its numbers as it advanced.

The old man who had discovered the unknown remains, which were gathered up and made a part of the procession, led the way. Houseman, placed between two strong and active men, went next; and Walter followed behind, fixing his eyes mutely upon the ruffian. The Curate had had the precaution to send on before for torches, for the wintry evening now darkened round them, and the light from the torch bearers, who met them at the cavern, cast forth its red and lurid flare at the mouth of the chasm. One of these torches, Walter himself seized, and his was the first step that entered the gloomy passage. At this place and time, Houseman, who till then, throughout their short journey, had seemed to have recovered a sort of dogged self-possession, recoiled, and the big drops of fear or agony fell fast from his brow.