"It was a deception of the evil one, to turn us from our path," he cried. "Come forth, my son, and fear not. That was no mortal voice we heard, and with me you need fear no spirit of darkness." The Duke at length came out of the shrubbery, his dress torn and disordered, and his voice yet trembling with alarm. "Surely some one must have been hidden there," he said: "yet, if there was, he must have escaped, and will report our words to one who is not likely to forget them." "Fear not; no mortal could have remained undiscovered," answered the Jesuit; "and of nought else need you be afraid." "Since you affirm it, Father, I am convinced also that the noise was caused by no mortal being," said the Duke; "but we ought no longer to remain here. I like not this threatening gloom. Let us return to the more open ground: the air here is oppressive and damp, and aids to conjure up doubts and fears to my mind." "Again, I say, fear not; but remember my words--both dare and do," returned Malagrida. "It is now time that I should depart." "First come, then, to the house, holy Father, and take some refreshment and rest," said the Duke. "My body requires neither food nor rest when I am about a great work," answered the Priest. "It is advisable, also, that I should be observed by none of your retainers. Return, then, to your house, and forget not what I have said. I will tarry in this spot to see if the evil one shall again venture to make his presence known, and if he comes not before long, secretly, as I came, will I again depart. Farewell, my son." The Duke, however, was unwilling to leave the side of the holy man, with the prospect of a long dark avenue before him, which he must traverse alone, exposed to the assaults of the spirits of evil; but Malagrida signed him to depart, waving his arms wildly round, and then, turning towards the grotto, disappeared in the gloom. He waited not a moment longer, but with quick steps hurried towards his house, his heart beating with apprehension; and, as he went, he fancied that he heard voices on every side gibbering and muttering threats and curses against him, till his terror made him break into a run; nor did he stop till he arrived at the door of his mansion. Pale and breathless with the exertion, his brow covered with perspiration, he rushed into the room where his duchess was sitting, not perceiving her, and threw himself into a seat. She looked up, alarmed, marking his disordered appearance. "What is the matter with my lord?" she said, as she approached him, and took his hand. The contact of a human being, and one for whom he possessed as much affection as he was capable of feeling for any, revived his spirits. "Oh! nothing, nothing!" he answered. "A freak made me run faster than I have run since I was a boy." "I rejoice to hear it; for I feared you were ill, or that something had alarmed you," returned the Duchess.