Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

186 D.ANGEl~ IN Till> DARK.
turned round to look fur Alonzo, wondering in h r
mind what had become of him. The first thing that
met her gaze, was the ungainly-looking figure of
Dnpin coming toward them. She involuntarily exclaimed:
"In the name of wonder! what hobgoblin is that r'
Whereupon, Dupin stopped; quite unconscious that
Carleton was but a few paces behind, ready to pepper
him. -+
It suddenly occurred to the priest that he could
make it seem a miraculous and providential thing that
he was there, so unlooked for, to prevent the escape
of the nuns. To try the expedient, he lifted both
hands toward heaven, and said:
" Great God, I thank thee for this miracle, whereby
thou hast brought me so timely here to save these
precious souls from the unpardonable sin of violating
their most holy vows. Spare the rebels this once;
• let not thy wrath be kindled against them; withhold
thy dread thunderbolts--"
Whack! went Alonzo's whip, taking effect upon
the denuded legs of the priest, giving his reverence a
very unexpected hoist in the world, and bringing his
prayer to an unceremonious close. There followed
such a transition from the lofty attitude and eloquent
gesture to that of making straight skirts for a place
of safety, as fully to verify the truth' of the remark:
"Between the sublime and the ridiculous there lies
but a single step."
ot knowing whence came the blow confused and