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 Here the ground led up to a plantation, and close to it was a fence which had formed the margin of the Abbey grounds. He paused at this spot, clambered over, and, taking a new hold of her, went onward a few steps till they reached the ruined choir of the Abbey-church. Against the north wall was the empty stone coffin, of an abbot, without a lid. In this he carefully laid her. Having kissed her lips a second time, he breathed deeply, as if a greatly desired end were attained. Clare then lay down on the ground alongside, when he immediately fell into the deep dead slumber of exhaustion, and remained motionless as a log. The spurt of mental excitement which had produced the effort was now over.

Tess sat up in the coffin. The night, though dry and mild for the season, was more than sufficiently cold to make it dangerous for him to remain here long, in his half-clothed state. If he were left to himself he would in all probability stay there till the morning, and be chilled to certain death. She had heard of such deaths after sleep-walking. But how could she dare to awaken him, and let him know what he had been doing, when it would mortify him to discover his