Setting down the lamp on the stone floor, Judith passed into the subterranean church, where she beheld a sight that almost petrified her.

In the midst of the nave, which was illumined by a blue glimmering light, whence proceeding it was impossible to determine, stood a number of grotesque figures, apparelled in fantastic garbs, and each attended by a skeleton.

Some of the latter grisly shapes were playing on tambours, others on psalteries, others on rebecs--every instrument producing the strangest sound imaginable.

Viewed through the massive pillars, beneath that dark and ponderous roof, and by the mystic light before described, this strange company had a supernatural appearance, and neither Chowles nor Judith doubted for a moment that they beheld before them a congregation of phantoms.

An irresistible feeling of curiosity prompted them to advance.