Angelina: Or, The Mystery of St. Mark's Abbey — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Tiik& MY¥S5insi®Y Of ST. MARK’S ABBEY. 91 unable to imagine. As her thoughts wese thus occupied, she usconsciousl y took forth from her bosom the miaiature of Haugh, and fixing her eyes ear- nestly upon it, sighed deeply, as she observed— ‘s It isa pity that one s0 young, s0 generous,and so,—so handsome, should follow such a lawless course |” A. deep blush suffused the meiden’s cheeks, as she found herself dwelling upon this subject, and she mentally asked herself why a thought as to Hugh’s ciccumetanuces or pleasure, should enter her mind? Oh, Love, almighty power, how soon you gain the stronghold of the heart's affections ! Many were tho prayers that Angelina offered up to Heaven, that afternoon for succese in the stratagem.which bad been formed to release her from incar- eeration, and that no harm might befal those who were attempting to rescue her; and her mind fluctuated painfully between hepe and fear. She counted every stroke that fell upon the bell of the old tower clock ; and oftentimes list- ened in the secret closet, thinking she heard voices, or that some one wns pacing the apartments beyond; bat all remained still, and at length darkness fell apon the earth, and the wind howled dismally along the different avenues of the building. Angeliaa stirred her fire, and re-trimmed the lamp, and she then teok up a book to endeatbour to dissipate the tediousness of waiting for the re- turn of Bridget; but her mind was too much harassed for her to fix her atten- tion upon the contents. As hour after hour passed away, end stil! Bridget did not make her appear- ance, the heart of Angelina sunk with disappointment and impatience, and she began to think that she had deceived her, and had only been sporting with her feelings; but the next moment she banished the thought, and reproached herself for having eatertained such a suspicions and she had scarcely done so, when she heard the key turning in the lock of the outer door; bolt after bolt was withdrawn, and directly afterwards, while the heart of our heroine was threbbing violently in her bosom, with mingled feetings of hope and doubt, the door flew back on its hinges, and Bridget enterdd, bearing-a tray on which were wine and provitiuns. She first placed the fatter on the table, after motioning Angelina to silence, and then fastening the door again, in a whisper requested her to follow her to the inner apartment. ** Ne doubt you thought I wae never a coming,” said she, in a low voice, ‘¢bat [ could not help its the fellows befow would detain me, and § dared not raise any objection lest I should excite their suspicions: 1 think we are right enough new: for they have both been drinking so freely, that they have fallen off into a deep sleep, from which I do not think it would he a trifle that would arouse them. But I hope, Miss, you are quite firm, for the task will require all your courage and presence of mind.” *-¥ feel fully competent for the undertaking,” answered our heroine, “ but ¥ am afraid you will run too great a risks; and dreadful even as my fate might be, I would never consent to purchase my escape from ft, by the sacrifice of another.”’ ‘Oh, do not fear for me, Miss,” said Bridget, “I have contrived every- thing for my security, and I feel assured that Providence will assist me in the performance of a good action, and protect me from the malice and revenge of the wretches who would imbrue their hands in innocent blood. But come Miss, we have no time tu lose, for should the ruffians below awake, ou. COL @ OO SS (CO)