All at once, a blue light illumined the nave, and partially revealed the lofty pillars by which it was surrounded.

By this light the whole of the ghostly company could be seen drawn up near the western door.

They were arranged two and two, a skeleton standing as before on the right of each character.

The procession next marched slowly and silently towards the choir, and drew up at the foot of the steps, to give the royal party an opportunity of examining them.

After pausing there for a few minutes, Rochester, in the dress of the larger skeleton, started off, and, beating his drum, was followed by the pope and his attendant skeleton.