"But now it sounds from the forest."
"We cannot distinguish in this uproar of noise."
"Very likely it is some wild animal hurt by a falling tree."
"No, no, it is the spirits wailing in the air--a bad omen!"
"Heaven help us--what evil can it bode?"
"Lord, have mercy upon us!"
The Abbot meanwhile had glanced round the room.
"Where is Donatus?" he said, "his bed is empty."
Donatus--in the general panic no one had missed him.
"Donatus--my son, my child!" cried the Abbot, struck by a horrible suspicion. "Look above, below, every one search the whole house for him."