A band of halberdiers brought up the rear.

The procession moved slowly along,--the passing-bell tolling each minute, and a muffled drum sounding hollowly at intervals.
Shortly before the procession started the rain ceased, but the air felt damp and chill, and the roads were inundated.

Passing out at the north-eastern gateway, the gloomy train skirted the south side of the convent church, and went on in the direction of the village of Whalley.
When near the east end of the holy edifice, the abbot beheld two coffins borne along, and, on inquiry, learnt that they contained the bodies of Bess Demdike and Cuthbert Ashbead, who were about to be interred in the cemetery.

At this moment his eye for the first time encountered that of his implacable foe, and he then discovered that he was to serve as his executioner.
At first Paslew felt much trouble at this thought, but the feeling quickly passed away.

On reaching Whalley, every door was found closed, and every window shut; so that the spectacle was lost upon the inhabitants; and after a brief halt, the cavalcade get out for Wiswall Hall.
Sprung from an ancient family residing in the neighbourhood Of Whalley, Abbot Paslew was the second son of Francis Paslew Of Wiswall Hall, a great gloomy stone mansion, situated at the foot of the south-western side of Pendle Hill, where his brother Francis still resided.