**  It  is,"  said  Crauford,  in  a  whispered  but  distinct  tone,  "a
perilous  secret  that  I  am  about  to  disclose  to  you.  I  indeed
have  no  concern  in  it,  but  my  lords  the  judges  have,  and  you
will  not  therefore  be  surprised  if  I  forestall  the  ceremonies  of
their  court,  and  require  an  oath."

Then,  his  manner  and  voice  suddenly  changing  into  an
earnest  and  deep  solemnity,  as  excitement  gave  him  an  elo-
quence more  impressive,  because  unnatural  to  his  ordinary
moments,  he  continued  ;  "  By  those  lightnings  and  commotions
^bove — by  the  heavens  in  which  they  revel  in  their  terrible
sports — by  the  earth,  whose  towers  they  crumble,  and  herbs
they  blight,  and  creatures  they  blast  into  cinders  at  their
will — by  Him  whom,  whatever  be  the  name  He  bears,  all  men
in  the  living  world  worship  and  tremble  before — by  whatever
is  sacred  in  this  great  and  mysterious  universe,  and  at  the  peril
of  whatever  can  wither,  and  destroy,  and  curse — swear  to  pre-
serve inviolable  and  for  ever  the  secret  I  shall  whisper  to  your
ear !  "

The  profound  darkness  which  now,  in  the  pause  of  the
lightning,  wrapt  the  scene,  hid  from  Crauford  all  sight  of  the
effect  he  had  produced,  and  even  the  very  outline  of  Glen-
dower's  figure :  but  the  gloom  made  more  distinct  the  voice
which  thrilled  through  it  upon  Crauford's  ear.
