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the feared owl, uttering his discordant note, broke from the rustling bough, and a dim twinkling light beamed from a loop-hole near the summit of the great tower. Sir Gawen entered the keep, having previously reasoned himself into a state of cool fortitude, and bent up every power to the appalling enterprise. He extended his sword before him, for it was dark, and proceeded carefully to search around, in hopes either of discovering some aperture which might lead to the vestibule or staircase or of wreaking his vengeance on, the wretch who had thus decoyed him. All was still as death; but as he str e over the floor, a dull hollow sound issued from beneath, and rendered him apprehensive of falling through into some dismal vau t from which he might never be able to extricate himself. In this situation, dreading the effect of each light footstep, a sound, as of many people whispering struck his ear; he bent forward listening with eager attention, and as it seemed to proceed from a little distance, before him he determined to follow it: he did so, and instantly fell through the mouldering pavement, whilst at the same time peals of horrid laughter again burst with reiterated clamour from every chamber of the castle. Sir Gawen rose with considerable difficulty, and much stunned with the fall, although
