“I protest,” continued she who was speaking when he arrived, and to whom the rest were listening with great attention; “I protest, that I saw them with my own eyes. I flew down the steps; they pursued me, and I escaped falling into their hands with difficulty. Had it not been for the lamp, I should never have found you.”

“And what could bring them hither?” said another in a trembling voice; “Do you think that they were looking for us?”

“God grant that my fears may be false,” rejoined the first; “but I doubt they are murderers! If they discover us, we are lost! As for me, my fate is certain: my affinity to the prioress will be a sufficient crime to condemn me; and though till now these vaults have afforded me a retreat.⁠ ⁠…”

Here looking up, her eye fell upon Lorenzo, who had continued to approach softly.

“The murderers!” she cried.