And now, the crisis was at hand.  Slow, heavy steps, as of persons carrying a burden, were heard approaching:  other, and more hesitating steps, mingled with these.  At length they reached the massive iron door, and the burden was put down.  The thickness of the door was too great, to permit the words spoken without to be heard within; but for some time the monotonous sound of a voice continued—­doubtless, a prayer of length and efficacy by the Franciscan.  The voice ceased; the chains and bolts were one by one withdrawn; the door slowly swung back, and a glare of flambeaux flashed into the cell.  Isabel lay on the pallet, while I stood motionless in the middle of the floor—­my face turned towards the door, and my hood partly thrown back.  No sooner did the light reveal my figure, than the coffin-bearers, uttering an affrighted scream, made but one step from the top to the bottom of the staircase:  for a moment the alcalde and the friar, who partly expected what they saw, and who partly trusted to the protection of the relics which they held in their hands, stood their ground; crossing themselves with great rapidity, and muttering prayers the while:  but upon the first movement I made towards them, they followed the coffin-bearers with so much precipitancy, that in their eagerness which should be the first, both rolled down the stairs, and the flambeaux falling from their trembling hands, were extinguished.

“Now is the time,” said I in a whisper; and I quickly descended the staircase, followed by Isabel.  By the light of a smothered flambeau, I could perceive that the alcalde and the friar lay senseless, whether from fear or from wounds, I could not tell.  The friar’s habit had somehow slipped off his shoulders; and thinking it might be useful as a disguise, I picked it up, and stumbling also upon one of the boxes of relics, I hid it in my bosom:  there was no obstacle to our escape—­the doors all stood open; and in a few moments we found ourselves outside of the tower, while the retreating steps of the coffin-bearers were heard dying away in the distance.  We lost not a moment’s time, but immediately proceeded quickly along the mole, which we had all to ourselves; the terrified coffin-bearers had no doubt spread the alarm, for as we approached every post was in its turn abandoned; the alarmed sentinels throwing down their weapons, and flying before us; and I took care not to neglect the opportunity of arming myself against need, with a good sabre.

* * * * *

THE NATURALIST.

* * * * *

THE ORNITHORHYNCUS PARADOXUS.

The following interesting fact in natural history was communicated by Dr. Weatherhead, to the committee of science of the Zoological Society, at their last meeting.