The timid
rabbit, as the stranger passed by, darted into its burrow, and many a
quiet face gazed on him from beneath a pair of ragged antlers, peeping
over the fences that guarded the demesne. Here and there a narrow glade
opened beautifully into the woods, through which might be seen green
lawns and pastures, with herds of dappled deer stealing silently to
their covert. The low growl of the distant thunder seemed to come upon
each living thing like the voice of some invisible spirit, subduing
with its mysterious speech every power and faculty, with an authority
superior to all human control.
The traveller hastened on. The pinnacles and stately turrets of the
priory were just visible through the arched boughs, when, turning into a
more sequestered path, he observed a female of a wild and uncouth aspect
standing in the way. She showed no disposition to move as he approached,
nor did she seem to notice his presence. He stopped, but sufficiently
near to distinguish the motion of her lips. An unintelligible mutter
accompanied it. She looked darkly towards the south, beckoning to the
coming thunder, and pointing, as though she would guide its course,
towards the grey walls of the priory.
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