Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/187

 road through the valley to retrace, he turned a little to the left, forcing his way down by the side of the trees, and after persevering near a quarter of a mile with infinite difficulty, to his great joy he discovered a small stream of water, over which was an old wooden bridge that led the way to a narrow path made through the wood. This track he followed, and, after walking near an hour, came to another dark avenue, at the end of which stood an old building encompassed with very high walls.

"At last (thought he) I have reached the convent;" and exhausted as he was with toil and want of refreshment, the appearance of those mouldering walls, gave him more pleasure than he might at another time have received from a view of the most superb palace. A pair of iron gates, which seemed rusted on their hinges, with a bell on one side, flattered him with the hopes of obtaining an entrance: He rang the bell with some force, and heard its sound, though at some distance. After waiting a considerable time,