perdition."

The spectre marched sedately, but dejected, to the end of the
gallery, and turned into a chamber on the right hand. Manfred
accompanied him at a little distance, full of anxiety and horror,
but resolved. As he would have entered the chamber, the door was
clapped to with violence by an invisible hand. The Prince,
collecting courage from this delay, would have forcibly burst open
the door with his foot, but found that it resisted his utmost
efforts.

"Since Hell will not satisfy my curiosity," said Manfred, "I will
use the human means in my power for preserving my race; Isabella
shall not escape me."

The lady, whose resolution had given way to terror the moment she
had quitted Manfred, continued her flight to the bottom of the
principal staircase. There she stopped, not knowing whither to
direct her steps, nor how to escape from the impetuosity of the
Prince. The gates of the castle, she knew, were locked, and guards
placed in the court. Should she, as her heart prompted her, go and
prepare Hippolita for the cruel destiny that awaited her, she did
not doubt but Manfred would seek her there, and that his violence
would incite him to double the injury he meditated, without leaving
room for them to avoid the impetuosity of his passions. Delay
might give him time to reflect on the horrid measures he had
conceived, or produce some circumstance in her favour, if she
could--for that night, at least--avoid his odious purpose. Yet
where conceal herself? How avoid the pursuit he would infallibly
make throughout the castle?