Page:Walter Scott - The Monastery (Henry Frowde, 1912).djvu/186

RV 118 (Rh) The White Lady replied:

'If I have been a loiterer, lady,' answered young Glendinning, 'thou shalt now find me willing to press forward with double speed. Other thoughts have filled my mind, other thoughts have engaged my heart, within a brief period—and by Heaven, other occupations shall henceforward fill up my time. I have lived in this day the space of years—I came hither a boy—I will return a man—a man, such as may converse not only with his own kind, but with whatever God permits to be visible to him. I will learn the contents of that mysterious volume; I will learn why the Lady of Avenel loved it, why the priests feared, and would have stolen it; why thou didst twice recover it from their hands. What mystery is wrapped in it? Speak, I conjure thee!' The lady assumed an air peculiarly sad and solemn, as, drooping her head, and folding her arms on her bosom, she replied:

'Give me the volume, lady,' said young Glendinning. 'They call me idle—they call me dull; in this pursuit my industry shall not fail, nor, with God's blessing, shall my understanding. Give me the volume.' The apparition again replied: Many a fathom dark and deep I have laid the book to sleep; Ethereal fires around it glowing— Ethereal music ever flowing—