"Stay, stay," said Adelaide, as they passed through the low arch which led thither. "This is very terrible; I feel faint."
"Yet a few steps farther," answered Ferdinand; "the free air will soon revive you, and we shall be there in a moment."
As he spoke, there came suddenly, from the lower chapel vaults before them, a slow and solemn chant, as if several deep voices were singing a dirge, and Ferdinand and Adelaide paused and listened while they sang:--
DIRGE.
Peace to the dead! They rest
Calm in the silent bed.
They have tasted joy and sorrow;
They have lived and grieved,
Have loved and been blest;
Nor thought of this dark to-morrow.
Peace to the happy dead!